It is not clear when Freemasonry started, as there are various evidence that point to numerous times in the past. Modern Freemasonry started in England in 1717 when four English masonic lodges met and formed a “grand lodge” — a body that would govern all of the lodges and permit new lodges to be formed. However, Freemasonry obviously started before that. (Schofield Lodge)
The secret society emerged from the medieval guilds of stonemasons in Britain and Europe that set standards, protected workers’ rights and provided other benefits.
Though only Scottish and English associations were connected to the modern Masonic fraternity, similar craft guilds and companies existed across Europe, playing an important role in the construction of abbeys, cathedrals and castles.
Masons’ tools such as the level, square and compass served to underline the fraternity’s values: equality, honesty, spirituality. Freemasonry spread like wildfire throughout Europe and America during the eighteenth century.
Hawai‘i was first visited by Freemasons as early as the early-1790s, with the visit of George Vancouver (however, some suggest Captain Cook was a Freemason, but the records don’t substantiate that.) Over time, other Freemasons (mariners, merchants and professionals) visited the Islands.
However, it was a French mariner who introduced this British cultural export into Hawai‘i at a time when the Union Jack flew over the kingdom’s capital.
On April 8, 1843, during the reign of King Kamehameha III (Kauikeaouli,) Freemasonry was formally established in Hawai‘i by Joseph Marie Le Tellier, Captain of the French whaling barque “Ajax” when he warranted Lodge Le Progres de l’Oceanie No. 124, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Supreme Council of France.
This was the first Masonic Lodge to be instituted in the Islands; with it, Freemasonry became firmly established in the Sandwich Islands. In Honolulu, the original lodge members were European and American mariners, shopkeepers and farmers.
The Masonic Lodges of Hawaii had a long association with the Grand Lodge of California going back to 1852, when Hawaiian Lodge was Chartered by California.
In subsequent years eleven other Lodges were chartered in Hawaii by the Grand Lodge of California, some were originally chartered by California and others transferred their allegiance from other jurisdictions to California. (Gardiner)
Later, in 1879, King Kalākaua (one of the most active members of the Craft in the Island Kingdom,) conducted a grand Masonic ceremony at the site of the new ‘Iolani Palace, using Masonic silver working tools specially crafted for the occasion.
Duke Kahanamoku was one of the many prominent members of Hawaiian Lodge No. 21, F.& A.M. (Free and Accepted Masons) when the Hawaii Lodges were under the Grand Lodge of California.
He was raised to the degree of Master Mason on October 30, 1946, exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Honolulu Chapter No.1 on December 4, 1952; received and greeted a Royal and Select Master in Honolulu Council No. 1 on December 4, 1952; and dubbed and created a Knight Templar in the Honolulu Commandery No.1 on April 16, 1953.
The Army Post at Schofield Barracks had grown considerably after the Islands became an American possession, and thousands of officers and troops were permanently quartered on the plains outside Wahiawa, Oahu, about twenty-five miles outside the City of Honolulu.
Among the officers and enlisted men were many members of the Masonic Fraternity who found it very inconvenient to travel the distance to Honolulu to attend Lodge. In 1913, the Grand Lodge of California was petitioned for a charter.
On December 8, 1913, a dispensation was granted to form a Lodge at Schofield, followed by a charter granted on October 15, 1914, officially founding Schofield Lodge No. 443, F. & A. M.
The first home for the Schofield Lodge was in the meeting hall above the Leilehua Department Store on Post, but later moved onto the Post in a building constructed for its use.
The first World War and the subsequent enlarging of the Post made these quarters inadequate. In 1932, a Masonic Temple was erected at the edge of the reservation. (Chaussee)
On the shore of Lake Wilson, the new building was of double wall wood-frame construction and “one of the few military lodges of Masons in the world”. The Lodge includes in its rolls names of men from all over the world. (SB)
It was named the Dr Hubert Wood Memorial and was dedicated in 1932 in memory of the late Dr Hubert Wood, “one of the best known and loved physicians in the Territory and an energetic worker in all Masonic activities”. (Star Bulletin, April 30, 1932)
Then, the cornerstone was laid on June 29, 1968 for a new masonry structure and the first meeting was held on December 10, 1968. The Schofield Lodge has continued to meet there ever since. (Martin)
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