January 09, 2005 - 09:30 AM
Contributed by: Lodge Historian
Formed in 1841 under
dispensation from the Grand
Lodge of France, we were fully
chartered in 1843. Lodge Le
Progres de l’Oceanie was the
first Masonic lodge west of the
Rocky Mountains. Since then it
has continuously been a forum
for the best men of Oahu
society, a source of enrichment
for Oahu’s communities, and a
guardian of Masonic tradition.
We are currently chartered by
the Grand Lodge of Hawai’i,
issued in 1989. During the
interim we were chartered by the
Grand Lodge of California
beginning in 1905. In 1998 King
Kalakaua Daylight Lodge
amalgamated into our family.
Kings Kamehameha IV (1859,
1861-2) and Kalakaua’s (1876)
service as Worshipful Master
further distinguish our lodge as
being one of only two to have
enjoyed a reigning monarch in
that station. Iolani Palace and
McKinley School are but two
local landmarks bearing
cornerstones lain with
assistance from our lodge.
Queen’s Medical Hospital was
founded by Kamehameha IV, PM
while serving his first term.
The brethren of our Lodge also
helped to found the Honolulu
Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Presently we average $250 in
charitable works per day. Many
of these are dedicated to
supporting Hawaii’s children,
such as the Keiki ID program,
our adoption of Makaha
Elementary School, and our
annual, significant college
scholarships.
As a tribute to our deep roots,
the Grand Lodge of Hawai’i
modified its Masonic Code in
2000 to grant the right, in
perpetuity, of Lodge Le Progres
to perform a French-originated
second section of the Masonic
third degree.
