Lodge History

Before the Grand Lodge of Hawaii F & AM existed, Lodges in Hawaii were chartered unter the auspices of the Grand Lodge of California. In 1961, Freemasonry was growing rapidly in Hawaii, and there was discussion of forming a Lodge on the Windward side of O`ahu, for those Brothers who wanted a lodge of their own closer to home.

So it came to pass that a group of Brothers petitioned the Grand Lodge of California for a Charter to form Ko’olau Lodge F. & A. M. The petition was granted at the annual communication effective May 28, 1961. The Lodge was constituted as Lodge Number 801, on July 29, 1961, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Makiki, Honolulu, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Alfred Breslauer.

Ko’olau Lodge then began meeting at the Methodist Church in Kailua until January 1, 1963. During this time the Lodge initiated 31, passed 27, and raised 24 candidates.

A search for another Temple was conducted with disappointing results, until the members found a newly established Episcopal Church that was meeting in an old gas station directly across from Castle Hospital. Finding that the size was not adequate for the performance of degree work, a temporary dispensation was requested and granted by the Grand Lodge to hold all special meetings at Bishop Hall in the Bishop Museum in Honolulu while stated meetings continued to be held in Kailua. In January 1964, another tenant of Bishop Hall caused a small fire and Bishop Estate requested all tenants of the building to vacate.

Fortunately, the Episcopal Church had recently completed the construction of their new parish hall in the Enchanted Lake area of Kailua and they allowed the Lodge to meet there. However, as the Church grew it found itself in need of the storage space used by the Lodge and, on January 5, 1966, the Lodge was notified that it could no longer store its equipment at the Church. The Temple Association bought a van and outfitted it to hold the Lodge’s equipment. On March 2nd that same year, they were informed that after August 31st they could no longer use the Hall, whereby another extensive search was conducted and on September 5, 1966, the Lodge moved to Atherton Hall at the Kokokahi YWCA in Kaneohe.

On October 1, 1969, a resolution was presented to the Lodge to form a Grand Lodge of Hawaii, and at the stated meeting on December 3, 1969, it was tabled. During the years of 1968 and 1969 very few applications were received and in 1970 the Lodge initiated 6 and passed and raised 9. On June 2, 1971, another resolution was presented to form a Grand Lodge of Hawaii.

On August 4, 1971, a telegram was read from the Grand Master of California advising that the resolution would be deferred until after the annual communication so that it could be voted on by Lodge members. On October 6, 1971, two members were elected as representatives on the Grand Lodge committee. At the stated meeting in November 1971, a letter was received from the Grand Master of California declaring that the action taken by the Lodge to elect the two Grand Lodge Committee representatives was illegal and that any future action must be in accord with the guidelines provided by the Grand Lodge of California.

On Nov 7, 1973, two resolutions were presented, (1) that Atherton Hall was no longer available for the Lodge’s use and that suitable hall was available at the Windward Christian Church at 1230 Kailua Road and (2) to change meeting times from Wednesday to Tuesday nights effective January 1974. The Lodge remained at the Windward Christian Church until December 1976. However, meetings continued to be held on Wednesday evenings.

Over the next five years the Lodge prospered and initiated 40, passed 35 and raised 31. On March 21, 1980, the Lodge held a Military Appreciation Night and put on a 3rd degree with the Lodge columns filled.

On March 15, 1981, the first annual St. Patrick’s dinner was a huge success and after all the bills were paid the Lodge cleared $476, a large sum in today's dollars. For every year around March 17th, the Lodge held a St. Patrick’s Irish Dinner, which was very popular with the Brethren and always well attended. This continued through 2019, until just before the 2020 event, the COVID-19 pandemic required the Lodge to cancel it.

At the stated meeting in May 1983, the Worshipful Master announced that there would be a meeting on May 21st to discuss the possibility of forming a Provincial Grand Lodge of Hawaii, and urged all to attend and voice their opinions.

At the stated meeting in December 1983, Worshipful William McKee, Jr., had the pleasure of installing his Brother Cleghorn McKee as Master of Ko’olau Lodge. In January 1984, the Grand Master of California was in Honolulu to establish the seventh Masonic District. The Grand Master at the time also gave Ko’olau Lodge permission to use the Hawaiian Wedding type shirt, white trousers and shoes as the official Tuxedo of Ko’olau Lodge #801.

On April 22, 1986, the Lodge was invited to Schofield Lodge to assist passing a candidate to the degree of Fellowcraft, as they were having a Military Night honoring our Brethren in the Service. On April 30th of that year, the Lodge visited Hawaiian Lodge #21. The Senior Deacon that evening was MW John Driscell Grand Master of California and Hawaii.

At the December 3, 1986, stated meeting it was announced that Ko’olau Lodge would be required to move from meeting at the Kailua Elks Club because of an edict issued by the GM Jack Levvitt that all Lodges meeting in a building that in which liquor is served must vacate the premises within 60days.

On February 4, 1987, Ko’olau Lodge held its 1st meeting in the parish hall of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. We were allowed to construct a temporary shed in the rear to hold Lodge paraphernalia. A new sign was made and posted near the entrance to Kailua. On August 5th, 1987, the Deputy GM Leo B. Mark was received into the Lodge Room and given Grand Honors. The December 1987 stated meeting of the Lodge was voided by the inspector as the Master and both Wardens were not present the entire meeting.

A request was immediately made to the Grand Lodge (now Hawaii) for a dispensation to hold an Election of Officers for 1988. The dispensation was granted and the officers were elected and installed on February 27, 1988.

During the Grand Master’s visit in May 1988 he was taken to view the property that Ko’olau Lodge was interested in purchasing to get his opinion and support. The authority in writing came for the Grand Lodge Committee. This property was subsequently purchased, but was sold later without a Temple ever being erected.

Also at the Grand Lodge Communication that year permission was granted to Hawaii to form a Grand Lodge of Hawaii.

The Lodge continued to meet at Emmanuel Church until the day care center was renovated in the fall of 2009. The Lodge received special dispensation by the Grand Lodge to meet at Kailua Electric Service building until a suitable replacement could be found. In the summer of 2010, the Lodge relocated to Enchanted Lake Elementary School. The Lodge was permitted to place a storage container on site to store paraphernalia.

A few years later Ko’olau Lodge was moved to St John Lutheran Church on Kailua Road and continues to meet at there on Wednesdays. Lodge finances continue to improve we are hopeful to find a permanent home in the not too distant future.

Since relocating to St. John Lutheran Church, Ko’olau Lodge has continued to labor in Kailua in the same spirit in which it was founded, as a Lodge for the Brethren of the Windward side of O’ahu. Though small in number, the Lodge has continued to have an influence beyond what its size might suggest. Over the years, several members of Ko’olau Lodge have gone on to serve as Grand Master of Masons in Hawaii, including Most Worshipful Brothers Dustin Verity, Garry Graham, Ani Lontoc, Chris Kaminaka, Charles Wegener, Raymond Wieckowicz, Don Wilson, and Stuart Cowan. That so many Grand Masters came from among the membership of a comparatively small Lodge is a point of pride for Ko’olau and a testament to the quality of leadership nurtured within its ranks.

The Lodge also continued its long tradition of fellowship and service. For many years, the annual St. Patrick’s Irish Dinner remained one of the Lodge’s best attended and most beloved events, bringing together Brethren, families, and friends in the easy fellowship for which Ko’olau had become known. This tradition continued through 2019, until just before the 2020 event, when the COVID-19 pandemic required its cancellation.

The pandemic years were difficult for Ko’olau Lodge, as they were for Lodges throughout Hawaii and around the world. Regular labors were interrupted, fellowship was limited, and the ordinary rhythm of Lodge life was broken. During this period, the Brethren remained in contact as best they could through phone calls, email, and virtual fellowship. Still, the loss of regular meetings, degree work, dinners, and personal contact took its toll. When meetings resumed, the Lodge found itself in a period of rebuilding, working to restore attendance, renew fellowship, and encourage the Brethren to return to active participation.

Even during these years, Ko’olau Lodge sought to remain useful to the community around it. The Lodge assisted St. John Lutheran Church with its “Family Promise” housing efforts by helping set up and break down rooms for those needing shelter for the night. The Brethren also has assisted with playground renovations at the church and volunteered at the Food Bank. These efforts reflected the Lodge’s continuing desire to be of service, especially in the Windward community where it has labored for so many years.

As Ko’olau Lodge continues to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic, its history remains one of perseverance. From its early years of meeting in borrowed halls, churches, schools, and temporary quarters, to its present labors at St. John Lutheran Church, the Lodge has repeatedly adapted to changing circumstances. Its strength has never rested only in numbers or property, but in the loyalty of its Brethren, the fellowship of its members, and its steady contribution to Masonry in Hawaii.