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Greetings from da Captain Bob K.

On June 10, 1992 I was initiated an Entered Apprentice in the Hawaiian Lodge. I was passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on August 12, 1992. I was raised by Lyle Phillips, Master in the Hawaiian Lodge, on Oct 24, 1992. My son Jon Wilhelm came to Hawaii in 1996 and lived with me for about a year. He was raised as Master Mason in the Daylight Lodge of which I was Master the following year. He also joined the Scottish Rite and Shriners. He enjoyed playing in the Shriner's Potentate's Band.

Masonry in Hawaii dates back dates back over 160 years to the time when the Sandwich Islands were first discovered by Captain Cooke. The Loge le Progres de'l Oceanie was e sstablished under a French charter we have the honored distinction of being the Lodges of those Kings who gave up the scep the sitting Kings of the Hawaiian Monarchy traded their septer for the trowel to serve for a season as Masters of r. We were later under the grand Lodge of California and nia all that time until 1989. At that time we were organized under the Grand Lodge of Hawaii and have remained so since. There are twelve Lodges in Hawaii, eight being on the island of Oahu. There are many other concordant bodies present here.

In 1992, when I joined the Masonic Fraternity, knowing that my grandfather, Ross DeVean, was a life-long Mason, out of courtesy I asked him to provide me with a letter of recommendation to the Lodge when I applied. And, while we were never very close during the previous fifty years, we corresponded regularly after I was raised, not as grandfather and grandson, but as brother Masons. He gave me his 50-year pin which I keep together with my personal Masonic memorabilia. When my grandfather passed on I read the Masonic funeral rites at his burial and interred his Masonic Apron into his grave with him.

Are you interested in Freemasonry? To be one, ask one. If you do not know a Freemason to ask for information about this oldest of all social and charitable fraternities, ask me. I can give you many resources. To be one, drop me a line via email at da Cpt and ask for information. I'll be happy to guide you on your travels.

   Every year the Past Masters of Loge l' Progres de l' Oceanie conduct a Third Degree. In 2001, I was honored to have been asked to sit in the East for the Opening and First Section as well as delivering the Lecture. This is a fun event as the younger officers are all in attendaance to observe the older Past Masters perform the ritual. Of course, they expect us to do it perfectly and with elegant style, which we did. Little do they realize that we wern't that good when we sat as Masters, and it has been some time since we did any ritual. It seems that every year, though, the Past Masters muster up their best effort and always do an excellent performance of ritual for the candidate and members in attendance.
   The Third Degree Lecture is my specialty. It times out at about 24 minutes, all delivered from memory, without any text or prompting. I try to deliver it in an exciting manner with lots of props and waving of hands, etc. I shoulda' been a preacher. But, at least, I keep everyone awake during the delivery.
   The photo is of the candidate, Bro. Eddie Smith, who is a great trumpet player and a member of the Shriners Potentate's Band and me. Now, he can become a Shriner and be rituous as a band member. Eddie is 81 years young. Probably won't get his 50 year pin, but at least, he is on his way as a Traveler.   I hope I'm as spry... next year, let alone at 81. Congratulations Eddie.

I became Master of the Royal Secret of the 32nd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on the 28th day of April, 1995. And, then became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine of the Aloha Temple in Honolulu on June 10, 1995. I also became a member of the King Kalakaua Daylight Lodge and served as Master of that Lodge in 1997. When the Daylight Lodge was dissolved and absorbed, I became a member and Past Master of the Lodge Le Progres de L'Oceanie, F&AM in the Grand Lodge of Hawaii. I'm very active in the Masonic fraternity, then and now. I finished my term as Master at the end of 1997 and became involved in degree work and coaching. As Past Master of the Lodge, I helped my brethren learn more about Masonry and we also help the SHRINERS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL where children receive medical treatment at no cost. If you know of a child with a crippling disease who needs medical help, e-mail me for information about the Shriner's Medical Treatment where the child is cared for and the families are never charged that medical service.