Thomas R. Foster

Thomas R. Foster (1835 – August 20, 1889) was the founder of the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company.

[2] On February 7, 1883, Captain Foster incorporated the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company.

[7] Foster lived next door to botanist Dr. William Hillebrand, who had come to Hawaii from Germany for his own health.

Hillebrand grew a beautiful garden at his home and published the book Flora of the Hawaiian Islands[8] after he returned to Germany in 1884.

Foster bought Hillebrand's home and gardens and continued to cultivate them with his wife Mary.