The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-03-01
E. H. Holmes

G.
of masonry and the hymns with which
all churchgoing folk are familiar being
used. After the building had been duly
dedicated and received by the lodge
from the Hilo Masonic Hall Associa-
ton, Past Master Moir, who is also
president of the association, gave
brief history of the building operations,
saying in part:
"Worshipful master, warden and
brethren:
"We have met here today for
specific purpose, namely to solemnly ded-
icate our masonic hall. Ten or more
years ago the Hilo Masonic Hall Asso-
citation was formed and later on a site
purchased, which was farther up Wal
anuenue street than we are today. Still
later negotiations were entered into
with the then Governor of the Terri
tory, George R. Carter, with a view
to making an exchange of sites, the
government requiring our uptown lot
for school purposes, and giving us in
exchange the site that this bnilding
now stands on, we paying the differ
ence.
"After having une matter satisfac
torily settled, we took up the matter Of
plans, and through the hard work and
kindness of p NJ. Brother Mckay a
sketch or plan was worked out, which
seemed to embody all the necessary de-
tail for an architect to work on, and
the matter was taken up with several
architects, both in Honolulu and on
the mainland. 1t was finally decided
to accept the plans of H. E. Starbuck,
of Oakland. Owing to the fire in San
Francisco and the rebuilding thereof,
building materials of all kinds were
very scarce and very high, and we de-
cided to wait little while.
son or about May, 1908, the work
of excavation was commenced and in
June of the same year the building
was proceeded with. We were very
unfortunate in the selection of work.
men made by Mr.. Starbuck, the archi-
tect, who came down here to erect the
bnilding; for after working between
three and four months, it was found
necessary to call halt, discharge the
workmen and commence all over again.
This cost us in round figures ten thou
sand dollars.
CITIZEN arrangements were made with
Brother Fred Harrison, of Honolulu to
take the matter in hand and carry it
on to completion, which he has done
with great credit to himself and his
able assistants, and with perfect salts
faction to the association.
"The cornerstone was laid February
is, 1909. We started out to build a
$4,000 building. and have ended up by
having one costing double the amount,
as nothing but the best of everything
would satisfy the boys. At times there
seemed doubts and fears that the fund
would run short and we would not be
able to complete it. but as far as
know there was no slack-up, and when
the money was wanted it was forth
coming. The brethren rallied to its
assistance and boosted it along. might
further say that there is still room for
assistance in the way of taking stock
along every day, too, from other breth-
rem of large and generous hearts all
over this Territory.
"We have gone quietly along, every
one doing the best they knew how, put.
ting their shoulders to the wheel with
will and to some effect as is plainly
demonstrated to you all here today. We
are making no boast when we say that
this building stands unexcelled on the
Islands today, or we might still go fur
Their and say or anywhere else, for a
substantial. ireproof earthquakeproof,
up.to-date building, Arstclass in every
respect. credit 10 the town of Ililo
and the Territory OF Hawaii.
" Here within it's walls the cry OF
the widow aud orphan will not be heard
In vain, for We are fold In the Bible,
that book Of sacred laws, and which n
our rule aud Rui1e, Of jacob theol0g'
Teal ladder which reached from earth
10 heaven, the three principal rounds
Of which are denominated Faith, Hope
and Charity, which adm0nish ns 10 have
faith IN God, hope Ia Immortality aud
charity for gll mankind, brt the great
est NJ these ls charity, for our own faith
may be lost 10 sight hope ends 10
fruitlon, hni charity eaiends beyond The
grave 10 the hnlndless realms ~ eief.
nifty, aud He may rasi assured that II
We 10 our duty Nhile here on earth,
~ Riil be pfeparnd 10 welcome death,
n0i 81 grim llfant, hui ~ . Kind mesi
sanagf uani ~ translate pf from this
lnuelferi 10 that alipeffeel, glorious
Hn1 celestial lodge HilnYf, ahpTf ihf
haplfme nfRua Master ~ The naigefae
faffYaf nIasidff
~ Nalf gala le lad faeaa llila
aafm wish lale sell pa he fahiffi
ehlfp ha leaa aafae llH aaaiets, -
IallaEHf