Troop 49 became a chartered unit in 1937 when it was founded by the late Reverend Yetatsu Takeda. Reverend Takeda became a minister in 1933 at the Hawaii Betsuin in Lahaina, Maui. In addition to being an English speaking minister, he also taught at the Japanese High School (Hawaii Chugakko). It was there than the inspiration for a Boy Scout troop would be kindled. Reverend Takeda envisioned the activities promoted through scouting and the teachings of the Jodo Shinshu Buddhism being merged into a lifestyle of good citizenship and personal well being. He saw this program as not only helping the boys but also providing service in the church, in the community and in the country. The Honpa Hongwanji Mission Hawaii Betsuin serves as Troop 49’s sponsor to the Boy Scouts of  America. The Betsuin provides a facility where the scouts meet and participate in the many scouting programs. Reverend Takeda was the Troop’s first scoutmaster and recruited boys from the high school as its scouts. Noboru Iwaoka and Mrs. Kaoru Kato assisted him at that time. For over 80 years now, the leaders and scouts have met at the Honpa Hongwanji Mission Hawaii Betsuin grounds.Activities such as Scout Sunday programs, camping trips to all parts of the state and even on the mainland, scout competitions, court of honor ceremonies to honoring scouting achievements and even trips abroad have all been part of Troop 49’s history. After just two years as a troop, a three-month trip from Hawaii to Japan was organized for the scouts and leaders. The troop traveled from Kyushu to Hokkaido, learning, meeting new friends and leaving a little bit of aloha in a foreign country. Imagine traveling by boat instead of a plane and being away from home for such a long period of time. Another milestone in the history of the troop came when World War II broke out. Under the trying  conditions, the troop continued to meet in smaller groups in the basement of the temple, often during “blackouts” while the war continued. It was during this time, at the outset of the war, that Reverend Takeda passed away. But, by that time, the troop’s foundation had been established and through the loyal support of the remaining troop leaders, parents, church members and the Reverend’s widow, the troop carried on. After World War II, Troop 49 not only resumed full activities, but flourished even under a changing set of leaders, parents and church members for the next six decades. In addition to the opportunities at the Boy Scout camp in Pupukea, the troop also made regular summer camp expeditions to the other islands, including Molokai, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. A 50 mile trek around Mauna Kea, a high adventure trip to Yosemite, Sonora County and Kings Canyon were just part of this troop’s many outings. Rappelling 165 feet into a cavern and riding a zip line over tree tops for over a quarter mile are some of the things some scouts have done. But, as any scout and leaders will tell you, the scouting experience is not just fun and games. They learn cooking, hiking, knot tying, first aid, fire building and many other skills taught by their patient scout leaders. As in life, scouting is also about providing service to the community and country. Whether it is assisting in the Memorial Day ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, participating in a community wide search for a missing elderly person or a host of Eagle Scout service projects, Troop 49 has continued to provide service to its sponsoring entity and the greater community to this very day. Over 80 years of existence for any organization is a proud accomplishment, but for one founded on volunteerism and requiring the collaboration of leaders, scouts, patents/guardian and supporters, this should not be taken for granted. If an organization’s history is measured in gratification of accomplishments, troop 49’s history is indeed supreme. The measurement is not only in the many scouts that have gone through the program, but the countless hours spend by leaders working with the scouts to raise them to a higher level of achievement and the recognition by parents of the importance of scouting values, experiences and their willingness to spend time and effort in encouraging their sons to do their best. Troop 49 will keep moving forward and will be successful for many more years to come.