D. Elmo Hardy, renowned entomologist, dead at 88
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
D. Elmo Hardy, a renowned entomologist who is known as the "father of evolutionary biology" in Hawai'i, died Oct. 17 in Honolulu. He was 88.
Hardy was an emeritus professor of entomology at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa and research associate at the Bishop Museum. During his 32-year career at the university, Hardy is credited with ground-breaking research on flies that influenced agriculture worldwide.
Elmo Hardy's status in the world of flies is reflected in the number of species — 50 — named after him.
He wrote 235 papers and books on flies in Hawai'i and around the world and described nearly 3,000 new fly species. His studies included pioneer research on the Mediterranean and Oriental fruit flies.
"He was a systematist so classifying, describing and naming new species was his love," said J. Kenneth Grace, chairman of the UH Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Services, "He was a really modest, but hard-working person. To have described nearly 3,000 species of flies is pretty impressive."
Hardy was born Sept. 3, 1914, in Lehi, Utah. He earned degrees at Brigham Young and Utah State before receiving his doctorate from the University of Kansas in 1941.
During World War II, Hardy served in the Army and was awarded a Bronze Star and Presidential Citation for his work in controlling insect-borne diseases in India, Burma and China.
After a stint at Iowa State University, Hardy joined the University of Hawai'i in 1948 as an associate professor of entomology. From 1956 to 1968, he served as chairman of the entomology department.
Grace said Hardy established himself as a leader in fly research. More than 80 senior scientists and 400 students who trained at the university founded their work on Hardy's data.
Hardy's status in the world of flies is reflected in the number of species — 50 — named after him. They include the Elmomyza, Elmohardyia, Hardyella and Hardyadrama.
"Naming an organism after someone is really considered to be an honor," Grace said. "Most people in the field of insect systematics are lucky if they have one or two insects named after them in their life. So that's quite an amazing honor."
Hardy was honored for his work in 1976 when he was presented the Entomological Society of America's Outstanding Research award. In 1981 he received the UH excellence in research award, and in 1992 he was recognized by the Hawaiian Entomological Society for Lifetime Excellence.
The UH Board of Regents awarded a Medal of Distinction to Hardy in 1997. Hardy retired in 1981 with emeritus status and remained active at the school until recently.
Hardy is survived by his wife, Ilse; children, Patricia Jane Swiger, Joan Marie Layton, Cheryl Kay Maloy and Dee Elmo Hardy; 21 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary; service at 11 a.m. Donations may be made to the D. Elmo Hardy Scholarship Fund at the University of Hawai'i Foundation, 2444 Dole St., Honolulu, HI 96822.
