Hawaii's Masonic history is one of the most international of any U.S. jurisdiction, reflecting the islands' long history as a meeting point of Pacific powers. The first lodge in the Hawaiian Kingdom was Lodge le Progres de l'Oceanie, chartered by the Supreme Council of France and constituted in Honolulu on April 8, 1843, with King Kamehameha III among its honorary members. That French connection makes Hawaii one of the few U.S.

jurisdictions whose Masonic origins trace back to a Continental rather than a British or American grand body. Lodges under English, Scottish, and California warrants followed over the next several decades, with significant activity tied to the whaling industry, missionary settlement, and sugar plantation economy. After the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the eventual annexation by the United States, Masonic activity in the islands continued under the various original chartering bodies. When Hawaii became a U.S.

territory and then a state, there was no single Hawaiian Grand Lodge for some time. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Hawaii was finally organized on August 16, 1989, with all the existing California-chartered lodges in Hawaii voting to come together under a new local Grand Lodge. Lodges previously chartered by Scotland and other jurisdictions remained under those bodies. Hawaii is therefore one of the youngest U.S.

Grand Lodges by founding date, even though its Masonic history is among the most internationally rooted.

Oldest and Most Historic Lodges in Hawaii

Hawaii's oldest lodge is Lodge le Progres de l'Oceanie, originally constituted in Honolulu on April 8, 1843, under a charter from the Supreme Council of France. It transferred to the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of California in 1852 and is now Lodge le Progres de l'Oceanie No. 371. King Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V were both members of this lodge, as were several prominent Hawaiian princes.

Hawaiian Lodge No. 21, originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of California in 1852, was the first lodge in Hawaii to operate under American jurisdiction and is still active in Honolulu. Pacific Lodge No. 822, Honolulu Lodge No.

409, Maui Lodge, and Hilo Lodge No. 759 are among the older 19th and early 20th-century lodges established under California warrants on the various islands. Lodge Le Progres remains particularly significant for its royal Hawaiian connections; King Kalakaua, often called the 'Merry Monarch,' was an active Mason and a member of this lodge. The royal Hawaiian connection sets Hawaii's Masonic history apart, since few U.S.

jurisdictions can claim reigning monarchs on their lodge rolls.

Hawaii Masonic Lodges by the Numbers

The Grand Lodge of Hawaii is one of the smaller U.S. Masonic jurisdictions but covers a geographically dispersed area. It oversees approximately 13 to 16 active constituent lodges spread across the major islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island), Kauai, and Molokai. Combined membership has been estimated in the 1,500 to 2,500 range in recent years.

The largest concentration of lodges is in the Honolulu metro area on Oahu, with additional lodges in Hilo, Kona, Wailuku, Kahului, and Lihue. Because of the geography, Hawaii's lodges have a distinctive culture of inter-island travel for special events. The Grand Lodge office is in Honolulu, and the official website at hawaiifreemason.org maintains current lodge information, meeting schedules, and resources for prospective members and visitors. Hawaii is also home to several lodges still operating under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, which adds an interesting jurisdictional dimension you don't find in most U.S.

states.

How to Become a Freemason in Hawaii

Becoming a Mason in Hawaii follows the standard mainstream process with some adjustments for the islands' geography. You must be a man at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, who professes belief in a Supreme Being. The first step is visiting a lodge, attending a dinner before a stated meeting, and getting acquainted with members. To formally apply, you submit a petition signed by two Master Masons of the lodge.

The petition is read in open lodge, an investigation committee is appointed, and committee members visit with you (and typically your family) for an interview. The lodge then takes a secret ballot which must be unanimously favorable. Fees in Hawaii generally run from $300 to $700 for the three degrees, with annual dues typically between $150 and $400. Because of the international heritage of Hawaiian lodges, several follow ritual variations that are slightly different from the standard mainland California work, though all are recognized as regular by the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Lodge of Hawaii F&AM is the authority for chartering lodges and conferring the three degrees in the state, alongside lodges still operating under recognized foreign jurisdictions like the Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Notable Hawaii Freemasons in History

Hawaii has the unusual distinction of having had reigning monarchs as Masons. King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho) was a member of Lodge le Progres de l'Oceanie and helped strengthen the lodge during his reign. King Kamehameha V (Lot Kapuaiwa) was also a Mason. Most famously, King David Kalakaua, the 'Merry Monarch' who reigned from 1874 until his death in 1891, was an active Mason and visited lodges around the world during his historic 1881 tour, becoming the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe.

He was warmly received in Asian, European, and American lodges along the way and used Masonic networks for diplomatic introductions. Prince David Kawananakoa, the heir-presumptive to the Hawaiian throne who lived through the overthrow era, was a Mason. Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who served as Hawaii's delegate to the U.S. Congress for nearly two decades in the early 20th century, was a Mason and a champion of Native Hawaiian rights.

Sanford B. Dole, the first Governor of the Territory of Hawaii after annexation, was a Mason. Walter F. Frear, another territorial Governor, was a Mason.

In more recent eras, several Hawaii governors and territorial officials have been Masons, as have prominent business figures from the Big Five sugar companies (Castle and Cooke, Alexander and Baldwin, C. Brewer, American Factors, and Theo H. Davies) and shipping firms that dominated Hawaiian commerce for over a century. The royal connection makes Hawaii's notable Mason list one of the most genuinely unique in American Masonry; few mainland lodges have monarchs on their historical rolls.

Prince Hall Freemasonry in Hawaii

Prince Hall Masonry has been active in Hawaii since the early 20th century, growing in tandem with the African American military and civilian population on the islands. The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Hawaii and Its Jurisdiction was chartered in 2001, making it one of the youngest Prince Hall Grand Lodges in the United States. Before that, Prince Hall lodges in Hawaii operated under the jurisdiction of California's Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge for decades, dating back to the 1940s when increased African American military presence on Oahu created demand for Black Masonic lodges. The newer Hawaiian Prince Hall Grand Lodge has constituent lodges primarily in the Honolulu area, including ties to the military communities at Pearl Harbor, Hickam, Schofield Barracks, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Mainstream-Prince Hall mutual recognition was established in Hawaii in conjunction with the formation of the Grand Lodge of Hawaii F&AM in 1989, since the new Grand Lodge took recognition of Prince Hall as a foundational element from the start. This makes Hawaii one of the cleanest examples of mainstream-Prince Hall cooperation in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions about Masonic Lodges in Hawaii

How many Masonic lodges are in Hawaii?

The Grand Lodge of Hawaii F&AM oversees approximately 13 to 16 active constituent lodges across the islands. Additional lodges operate under the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Hawaii.

Where is the oldest Masonic lodge in Hawaii?

Lodge le Progres de l'Oceanie No. 371 in Honolulu, originally chartered by the Supreme Council of France on April 8, 1843, is Hawaii's oldest lodge. It counts King Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, and King Kalakaua among its historical members.

Were any Hawaiian kings Freemasons?

Yes. King Kamehameha IV, King Kamehameha V, and King David Kalakaua were all Freemasons, members of Lodge le Progres de l'Oceanie. Kalakaua was particularly active and visited lodges worldwide during his 1881 global tour.

Does Hawaii recognize Prince Hall Masons?

Yes. The Grand Lodge of Hawaii F&AM and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Hawaii maintain mutual recognition. The mainstream Grand Lodge has recognized Prince Hall since its founding in 1989.

How do I find a Masonic lodge in Hawaii?

You can use the LodgeFinder Hawaii directory or visit the Grand Lodge of Hawaii website at hawaiifreemason.org for current lodge listings, meeting times, contact information, and visitor protocols across the major islands.