The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-03-09
Obituary.

On Tuesday last J. W. H. Kauwahi,
died at the residence of Capt J. NJ Kapena,
in this town, aged, about as years He
had, at the time of his decease, been longer
uponthe roll of practitioners at the Bar, than
any person now in this country, having
been entered at the organization of the
Courts. .'a-.ezs-s--s------
The deceased was beyond all Icempari-
son, the most brilliant man of his race
who has ever endeavored to advocate-a
cause in the Courts of this kingdom.
There were but two menwho ever COM
pared with him, and they certainly followed
at long distance; we mean the late ]. w.
E. Maikai and z. P. Kaumaea. Mr. Kauwa-
hi spoke English but imperfectly, andawas,
in consequence, unable to obtain knowledge
by the perusal of English works of Law
Yet his natural aptness was such, that he
seemed to absorb, as by intuition, the views
of other men around him, as rapidly as
they could be translated He never heard
position stated but that he seemed clear
ly and Immediately to understand its
strength or weakness, and the best man.
ner of attacking or defending it. When
the writer of this first knew him, he was
in person one Of the most graceful of men,
having clear and sonorous voice, which
he knew how to modulate to perfection
of self possession, unabashed and undis-
turbed under the most trying circumstan-
ces. Nature had endowed him with every
attribute of an orator; bold to fault, he
fearlessly grappled with the best foreign
trained counsel, and maintained for him
self an equal standing at the Bar. In his
address to all men, he was dignifed and
gentlemanly, never conveying any oftense
unless his opponent seemed to him most
justly to merit it, and any one who would
speak slightingly of him or his client, in his
presence, soon learned that they had mis-
measured their man.
He was as often chosen a representative
as he offered himself on the canvass, and
was the author of a complete Form Book
in the Hawaiian Language.
Like many another genius, an Grant
course in life prevented his reaping the
rich reward which his fellow men were
ready and willing to give him; his servi-
ces were always appreciated both at the
Bar and in Council; and the highest hon
ors and situations always appeared to be
within his grasp. Yet sickness and
poverty have been his fate in his later
years, and he has gone down to prema-
ture grave; but all who knew him in his
prime, will agree that this notice does not
amount to panegyric.
On Wednesday last, His Honor, Judge
Hartwell, at the request of some of the |
members, convoked the Bar, when Major
F. H. Harris proposed the following reso-
buttons, which were seconded by Judge
Montgomery, and were unanimously
adopted:
Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to remove |
from our midst, our brother, j. W. H. Kauwahi, the |
eldest native member of the Hawaiian Bar, a we'll /
known and respected member of the Legislature of
this kingdom in former years, also the author of
the "FOrm Book in the Hawaiian Language
While we bow submissiyely 10 the mysterious |
DEGREES of Divine Providence, in thus removing our
friend, we here give expression to the deep sorrow
which this event has caused us to feel, in common
with the nation at large, we aware must be
the case; Therefore,
ReSolsed, That each member of the Bar wear Grape
on the left arm for thirty days, in memory of the
deceased.
Resolved That individually and a body, we pre-
sent to the widow and fatherless child of our de-
ceased brother sincere expressions of sympathy
in their bereavement, and mourn with them.
RESOLVED That we will in body attend the funeral
of our deceased brother. ~