PEARL HARBOR LODGE F. &. A.M. HONOLULU, HAWAII  TRESTLE BOARD JULY-SEPTEMBER 2006
	Chartered by The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of California  September 25, 1924
	Chartered by The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Hawaii  May 20, 1989

 

 WORSHIPFUL MASTER

James R. Davis PM

email:davisj009@hawaii.rr.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ALOHA Brethren.  I would like to congratulate several of our Past Masters for their special achievements this year.  Bro. Bruce H. Bonnell, PM was elected and is serving as Grand Master of Masons in the State of Hawaii this year. Bro. Roy T. Ota, PM  was installed as the National Commander, Heroes of “76” National Sojourners  Also, Bro. Lee Skinner PM continues to serve as Grand Lodge Secretary and is also the Grand Governor, Hawaii York Rite College. PGM Stuart M. Cowan is the Wise Master, Honolulu Chapter of Rose Croix in the Scottish Rite Bodies. These Brothers help to keep Pearl Harbor Lodge vibrant and resilient. I would also like to acknowledge and thank Abraham Akina, PM, Wilfred  K.C. Lam, PM, Paul H.C. Chung, PM, Peter H. Nakanishi, PM and Donald F. Leong who are always supportive of the needs of the Lodge.

 This Masonic year is already half over. New petitions for Lodge membership are running at record pace. We have eight Entered Apprentices Masons, four Fellowcraft Masons, and five outstanding petitions. 

We need to start planning for next year’s officers’ line. It is my hope to qualify and advance the current Officers into the next level of responsibility.  I also would like to encourage other members to actively engage in our Lodge activities as an officer or as a member of a committee. I have heard many excuses on this point. But excuses will not keep the Lodge relevant in the future. Only Personal Commitment by all concerned will keep the Lodge vibrant. 

In closing, I want to personally thank both Brother Damon M. Neutzling (our web master) and Brother Peter Larson for their fine work on re-establishing the Lodge website. Check it out www.pearlharborlodge.org

I would like to see you all in Lodge.  Let us keep the Fellowship growing. It is great to see Bro. Arnie Winters, PM back active in the Lodge after a lengthy health issue.  Our prayers go out to Bro. Jim Norris who has a very serious medical operation pending.

Heb Dhow -Dhow A Digon

(Without God – You have nothing)

Respectfully submitted, Jim Davis Worshipful Master

I’ve given a lot of thought about what I would write about for this newsletter.  There are a lot of challenges facing Masonry in general and Pearl Harbor Lodge is no different from many of the Lodges around the United States. Whether it’s an issue over dues, building maintenance, declining membership, attendance, participation or just learning the ritual to become a proficient Master Mason, we all have goals and expectations. A very wise Brother told me once, “Remember, Masonry is voluntary, and you are asking someone to devout his valuable free time, and then asking for memory work, depending on his ability and desire. Leadership, in this case requires thoughtful encouragement, patience and exemplary example. This should all be done in a pleasant environment, peace in the Temple-the very objective we are trying to encourage. In all things, who can best work and best agree. Real leaders immerse themselves in Humility and listen!” 

What I would like to discuss is attendance. One of the biggest issues facing Pearl Harbor Lodge right now is attendance. Never mind the fact that the large majority of us work over 40 hours a week, have families, and/or go to school. How often are we faced with this dilemma? Kick back and watch Monday night Football, with food and beverage of choice or drive to Makiki Temple in rush hour traffic to practice degree work hoping enough Brothers show up to have a practice then being fed a bologna sandwich for our efforts. Personally I’d rather have an in-grown toenail removed than sit through that. 

So looking at this, I have to ask myself, “What can I do to encourage participation and promote attendance?”  Well I can’t order Brothers to show up or change Monday night Football to Tuesday night and I can’t buy beer with Lodge funds. So those options are out of the question. I can’t even guarantee that enough Brothers will show up for practice, but what I can do is cook, something as simple as turning on the stove and preparing a meal. During Brother George Washington’s time Masonic Meetings revolved around, food, wine and fellowship. (As well as other things like revolution, freedom and forming a new nation)  We have the luxury of living in a free society thanks to the efforts of our Brothers. I think we should take a page from their book and bring Masonry back to the dinner table if nothing more than to break bread with our Brothers. With that said I would like to cordially invite you to join me at refreshment every Monday night at Pearl Harbor Lodge. 

"We represent a fraternity which believes in justice and truth and honorable action in your community...men who are endeavoring to be better citizens...[and] to make a great country greater. This is the only institution in the world where we can meet on the level all sorts of people who want to live rightly."

Harry S. Truman

President of the United States

Annually, in June, the Hawaii Rainbow assemblies gather together for the conclusion of the Grand Worthy Advisors’ Grand Year.   Faymae Queja, from Hilo Assembly #4, presided at the 35th Grand Assembly, “Colors of Paradise” session held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral on June 23^rd, 24^th and 25^th.  The Grand Banquet was held on Friday at the Pagoda Hotel.  The Rainbow girls, parents and guests were treated to a fine dinner and fellowship.  After dinner, toasts were made to Mark Sexton, the founder of the International Order Rainbow for Girls, Supreme Inspector Pauline Himmelein, Grand Assembly of Hawaii, and to the Grand Worthy Advisor, Faymae Queja.  Awards were given by Pauline to the girls and assemblies for membership, service to the community, and ritual.  Since Faymae’s service project was the March of Dimes, we heard comments from Executive Director Carmela Hernandez.  By the end of the evening, $1,800 had been collected for Faymae’s service project.  At the end of the evening, the new officers were announced by Pauline Hinmelein.  Congratulations to Melissa Heintz who was named the 2006-07 Grand Worthy Advisor.

Saturday was the formal opening of Grand Assembly.  Dignitaries, including the Grand Master, were introduced and escorted to the Grand East.  The highlight of the morning session was the initiation of 10 new rainbow girls.  The business portion of the session continued after lunch.  It concluded with a practice and a Pizza dinner.  Fun Night was a blast.  Everyone participated and really enjoyed themselves.  Ice Cream and cake completed the evening,

Sunday morning was the Grand Cross of Colors breakfast, a worship service program, an historical award for the best scrapbook, and the achievements of the girls for the past year.  Following lunch, the new officers were installed in a beautiful ceremony.  Our new Grand Worthy Advisor, Melissa is the daughter of Paul and Marilyn Heintz.  After the ceremony it looked like graduation with all the leis and flowers that Melissa received from her admirers.  We even got to meet Betsy.

Providing assistance to the Rainbow Girls during their Grand Assembly from Pearl Harbor Lodge were A. Lee Skinner, Bruce Bonnell, James Steinwandt, Peter Larson, Jim Davis, and Ladies Jill Bonnell, Janet Larson, Dorina Badget, and Pauline Himmelein.

The Grand Master has a Fast Class coming up on July 21^st and 22^nd 2006.  The class is opened to new petitioners.  It will be held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral beginning on Friday, 7/21/06 at 5:00 PM.  It is under the leadership of RW Dennis Ing and will be similar to last years’ with new enhancements.  The Grand Master decision 03-2006 allows the reading of a petition at any meeting and after proper investigation, balloting at any meeting provided the petitioner is going through the Fast Class.  Entered Apprentice [EA] masons and Fellowcraft [FC] masons are also eligible regardless of when they received their degrees.  Since they have already paid the lodge fees, they only need to pay the Grand Lodge fees of $75.  Let your secretary know if you want to attend no later than 7/15/06.

The Hawaii Freemason, the new Grand Lodge newsletter, will be making its appearance on June 30, 2006.  It will be sent out to all known email addresses.  If you wish to contribute an article for publication, please send it to Marty Alexander at lodgemaui@hawaii.rr.com no later than September 15, 2006.    

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  

    E-MAIL ADDRESSES

Pearl Harbor Lodge website e-mail addresses are now available to members of Pearl Harbor Lodge.  It will be your first initial, middle initial, last name @ pearl harborlodge.org.  If interested, please email dmneutzling@pearlharborlodge.org.

Calendar 

BAYFEST 2006

Bayfest was held this year from Friday June 30^th through Tuesday July 4^th.  Ko'olau Lodge sponsored a booth in the exhibitor’s area that was manned by Masons from various lodges and ladies from Kailua Lanikai OES.  Most Worshipful Bruce Bonnell took time out of his busy schedule to help in the booth with the aid of his Lady Jill.  Out of the hundreds that stopped by the booth, over 25 signed up to attend a picnic hosted by Ko'olau Lodge on August 5^th. The aim of the picnic is to have the interested men and their families learn more about the Masonic family and hopefully sign up for Degrees. Worshipful Master Scott Waracka stated that he is going to try to place the candidates with the Lodge that best suits each person’s needs.  

Next year the booth will be bigger and better. Masons from all lodges along with their families are encouraged to participate.  Personally, I had a great time answering questions about the Craft and meeting the public.  After your “tour of duty” in the booth, you are free to enjoy Bayfest.

Fraternally,

Pete Larson

Word of the Month

Gavel

Symbol of means of perfecting; as the gavel, breaking off “the corners of rough stones,” gradually makes the rough ashlar into a perfect ashlar, so the symbolic use of the gavel divests the character of “the vices and superfluities” of life.

The stonemason’s gavel has a short handle and a head which is hammer-like on one end and chisel sharp on the other. This form is the correct Masonic “common gavel”.  The round-head gavel with a turned handle, used by the presiding officer of all organizations, is not symbolic, although this form is commonly used in Masonic lodges.  The ‘common gavel” is a set of “working tools” presented for the inspection of initiates is usually, and always should be, of the proper stonemason form.  The round-head gavel could not “break off the corners of rough stones.”

July-Sept Birthdays

July – September Third Degree Anniversaries