Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Giffard, Walter Le Montais April 27, 1856 - 
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J. Orr jessicanorr@gmail.com July 11, 2011, 5:39 pm

Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ltd. Territory of Hawaii, 1925
Author: Edited by George F. Nellist

WALTER LE MONTAIS GIFFARD, Retired Capitalist. For more than thirty years an 
active factor in the industrial and commercial development of Hawaii, Walter 
Le M. Giffard was a member of that group of men who carried the sugar industry 
through its period of greatest peril to the present era of sound prosperity.
  Of vital importance to the industry was the reorganization in 1903 of the 
Experiment Station of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, in which Mr. 
Giffard, as chairman of the organizing committee, took a leading part. This 
step on the part of the planters’ association followed one or more of the most 
critical years yet experienced by Hawaiian plantations, due to the serious 
attack on sugar cane by an accidentally introduced cane leaf hopper in 1902-03.
  Losses in production in 1903-04 were felt by all plantations, and by several 
these losses amounted to many thousands of tons of sugar, so that for a time 
it seemed as if the sugar industry of Hawaii might be doomed to extinction in 
the course of a few years unless means were promptly discovered to check the 
ravages of the pest. With the reorganization of the Experiment Station, 
however, scientific research by the entomologists engaged for the purpose and 
the discovery and introduction of beneficial parasites resulted in the control 
of the cane leaf hopper pest. Since that time further control has been 
obtained and other insect foes of sugar cane have also been checked by the 
entomological experts of the station.
  During the period 1903-05, the sugar planters’ committee, headed by Mr. 
Giffard, strongly urged and finally inaugurated the propagation of new 
varieties of cane from Hawaiian seed. A number of very acceptable canes were 
successfully derived from this early propagation, among which is now the 
celebrated H-109.
  Although Mr. Giffard retired from active business life in 1909 he has 
continued his scientific work, aiding the agricultural interests of Hawaii 
through endeavors on various commissions.
  Born on the Island of Jersey, Great Britain, May 27, 1856, the son of John 
and Elizabeth (Bisson) Giffard and a direct descendant of that John Giffard 
who was born in Jersey in 1475, Mr. Giffard started his career on his native 
island as assistant cashier for Sir John Coode, civil engineer.
  He arrived in Honolulu, Oct. 24, 1875, under employment in a clerical 
capacity to John T. Waterhouse, a pioneer merchant, with whom he remained for 
a year, becoming associated with W. G. Irwin & Co., early in 1877 as 
bookkeeper, later promotions making him, in turn, treasurer, secretary and 
vice-president of the corporation. Until 1909, when the firm was dissolved, he 
was an officer and director of twelve Hawaiian corporations for which W. G. 
Irwin & Co., Ltd., were agents.
  During the Hawaiian monarchy, Mr. Giffard was acting chancellor of the 
French legation for almost three years and for the best part of a year was 
acting French commissioner and consul-general. He was also acting consul-
general for Portugal for a short period. In 1893, when the monarchy was 
overthrown, Mr. Giffard was a member of the Privy Council, but did not serve, 
because of his connections with the diplomatic corps. He became a naturalized 
American citizen in 1903.
  From 1903 to 1907, Mr. Giffard was chairman of the committee in charge of 
the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Experiment Station, and for a number of years he 
served as co-trustee with W. G. Irwin, representing W. G. Irwin & Co., Ltd., 
on the board of trustees of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, also as 
an officer in an earlier organization of the sugar planters.
  Deeply interested in entomology, horticulture, and forestry, Mr. Giffard was 
a commissioner on the Board of Agriculture and Forestry from 1903 to 1923, 
having assisted in its organization in 1903, and was its president three 
terms. He also assisted in the organization of the Hawaiian Entomological 
Society in 1904 and has twice served as president.
  Mr. Giffard and Martha Petre Brickwood were married in Honolulu, June 30, 
1881. They had two children, Jane and Harold B. Giffard.
  Mr. Giffard is a 32nd degree Mason, Knight Templar and Shriner, and a member 
of the Pacific and Oahu Country Clubs; honorary member, Chamber of Commerce 
(president, 1906-07); honorary member, Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association; 
fellow, Entomological Society of London; fellow, American Association for the 
Advancement of Science; member, American Association of Economic 
Entomologists; charter and life member of the Entomological Society of 
America; member of the Biological Society of Washington, D.C., and the Pacific 
Coast Entomological Society.


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