Usborne's statue of joseph nawahi, temperance orator. A figurine model statue by gordon usborne of hawaiian political leader joseph nawahi modeled from a photograph:
in the office of w. A. Bowen, in the stangenwaid building, was placed last thursday an exquisite little model statue of joseph nawahi, the work of !he sculptor, gordon usborne. Although the features were modeled from a photograph, those who have seen the figure and who knew joseph nawahi in his lifetime say that there is no change which could be suggested. The artist has caught the pose and expression of the man who was once recognized as the greatest of the hawaiian orators. On a plate on the pedestal are engraved the words: "we can not afford to lose our men and women. " these words are from the famous speech made by nawahi at haili church at the time of the great lava flow which threatened to engulf hilo, when, pointing toward the moving fire monster, he said: "we all feel grieved to see that flow of lava coming down through our forests on its mission of destruction. But there is another flow coming down upon this land which is far more destructive than the lava flow, and that is the flow of intoxicating liquor. We can well afford to spare those trees but we can not afford to lose our men and women. " the statue is only a model in clay, bronzed over, but it is probable that a more heroic statue will be made by the sculptor if present plans are carried out. It is the intention of willard s. Terry to carry the model to hilo and exhibit it and see if money can not be raised for a life-size figure of joseph nawahi, to be placed in the park, or some equally prominent place. Mr. Bowen wishes it announced that as long as the model is in his office, he will leave the door open and anyone who wishes to see the figure need only come up and walk in. Date: 23 November 1909.
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