The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1910-03-01
Temple Dedicated
in Ceremonial
Manner
Honolulu Brethren Take
Part in the Happy
Event.
By James t. Stacker. !.

HILO, February 24.-In the matter
of architecture Hilo has much to be
proud of and its masonic temple, which
was dedicated to masonry this after.
noon it may well be satisfied. Built
of reinforced concrete, two stories in
height, plainly massive in design with
rooms for the lodge and assemblies, it
is a structure. that would be a credit
to Honolulu. In point of fact the
masons of the capital could well follow
those of Hilo and build something as
good.
The interior finish is natural wood
with the stain of old oak. The panels
of the same material on solid color
walls that contrast well. Heavy pillars
and pilasters are everywhere and the
effect is pleasing, giving to the young
est lodge in the Territory home that
is worth while.
Twelve years ago Kilauea Lodge was
organized and its first officers in
stalled by the late Andrew Brown X.
R. G. Wallace, Joseph Little and Will
liam ii. Wright, representing the Grand
Lodge of California. The lodge room
was in the F. s. Lyman building, at
the corner of >Waianuenue and Bridge
street. That room was occupied until
the beginning of the building opera
tions which ended in the splendid
structure that was dedicated this after
noon before an assemblage of the very
best people of Hilo.
Quick Growth.
Kilauea Lodge grew from the begin
ming like green bay tree and, as far
as the outside world knows, has been
lodge of perfect harmony. Masons
do not talk in public about their
fraternal affairs SO that the layman
has only appearances to judge by. Dis
sension never brought this building to
Hilo Almost from the time the lodge
was organized there was building bee
buzzing in the bonnets of the in
dividual members. An association was
talked of until finally it became fact
and lot was bought on upper Wal
anuenue street. 1t was impossible at
the time to get the one where their
building stood, the land being under
lease to F. s. Lyman. For that reason
Kilauea decided to buy mauka and
wait for the town to grow. There has
been good deal of waiting for the
town to grow, and in some respects it
has stood still in consequence. The de-
mand for a government building with
federal brand on it called the citi-
zens together when Commissioner Hus-
tace was here to decide where to build
and the site of the masonic lodge,
(Lyman building) was selected without
opposition, or if there was any it was
not considered of enough Importance
to stop the tide.
Greater Than Mustard Seed.
The people here had more faith in
Uncle Sam, however, in the matter of
federal building than have some 9th
ers, and when, some years later, the
masons wanted to get corner out of
the lot the citizens had voted in pub
lie meeting to set apart for the federal
site, in exchange for the one that was
owned by the lodge and located half
mile mauka, there was an objection
from one quarter that took the form of
a roar that was heard from the Wal
luku to the Waiolama. Even the edi-
tor of one of the Hilo papers was
roasted to a FRAGILE for having changed
his mind on the subject and coming
out in favor of the transfer. The
then superintendent of public instruc-
ton, Mr.. Babbitt, was here at the time
and expressed desire for the upper
lot so it could be used for school pur-
poses. Rabbits speech before Caesar
hn ha nc a
Governor Carter was behind him and
he had the last word. 1t was a good
thing for Hilo for it gave it building
in locality where it would be seen
and where, it was convenient for the
members of the lodge.
Many Visitors.
There were present Mt the dedica-
tion today the best people of Hilo, and
in the room not less than one hundred
and fifty members of the masonic fra
ternity Of the Territory. Seventeen
came up on the Manna Kea from Hone
lulu TO take part in the ceremony
which was all formal.
The Dedication.
Promptly at two this afternoon the
lodge was opened In the temporary
quarters at the corner of Bridge and
King street and after the regular SER
vices march WIS taken up TO the new
temple quartet Of young ladies sang
as the members marched around tho
room three times until Master W. IL.
Q. Campbell reached the east. Then
tbs ceremonies dedleailng the temple
we're begun worshipful Master canp'
bell, past Master MolF, Past Aester
Mckay, senior Warden Holmes, Junior
Warden Bowman and Chaplain VII
llams, ~ Nlauea, acting Ia their yari'
ona capacities. J, D Tucker represent.