Prince Hall Masonry in the State of Hawaii

Prince Hall Freemasonry has been established in the State of Hawaii since 1912, with Masonic Lodges from the States of Missouri, California, and Texas.

According to available date, the first Lodge in Hawaii was John M. McCarthy Lodge No. 50, when various members of the Buffalo Soldiers, who at the time were attached to the 25th Infantry Division stationed at Schofield Barracks, were granted a Charter from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri. John M. McCarthy Lodge No. 50, together with Lodges in the Philippines Islands, made up the 20th Masonic District und the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri.

In 1943, under the leadership of Grand Master George R Vaughn of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California, Brother Henry J. Green, Sr. was given the task of re-establishing a Prince Hall Lodge in the Hawaiian Islands. Brother Green came to the island and organized a Masonic Club in the city of Honolulu. The Club, after working for a period in a manner satisfactory to the Grand Lodge petitioned for U.D. status. On July 20, 1944, with a membership of mix nationalities numbering 54, Puuola Lodge No. 51, was granted a charter with Brother Henry J. Green, Sr. s the first Worshipful Master.

In 1950, Past Grand Master Theodore Moos of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California authorized the formation of yet another Masonic Club that was the groundwork for Cosmopolitan Lodge U.D. The fir in a series of meeting of the proposed Masonic Club was held in Good Samaritan Mission Hall at 1801 10th Ave., Honolulu, HI on March 7, 1952. Past Grand Master Theodore Moss of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California authorized the formation of yet another Masonic Club May 29, 1954, Grand Master S.J. Hopkins, with the assistance of Grand Marshall Stanley Y. Beverly, instituted Cosmopolitan Lodge U.D. on May 28, 1955, with its membership of 45 Master Mason, Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 82 received its charter wit Brother Ambrose M. Costa, Sr. s its first Worshipful Master.

Kaneohe Bay Lodge No. 114 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California Lode and Hawaii was granted a charter on July 23, 1992. New Hope Lodge No. 116 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California and Hawaii was granted a charter on September 19, 1995.

The members of Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 82, Pearl City Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay Lodge No. 114, Kaneohe Hawaii, and New Hope Lodge No. 116 Wahiawa, Hawaii, all working under the Jurisdiction of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California and Hawaii, Inc., and Aloha Military Lodge No. 635, working under the Jurisdiction of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, recognizing their inability to communicate with the grand officers about matters of importance which demand attention in a timely matter due to distance (2556 and 3792 miles) and time zones, came together for a Prince Hall Masonic State Convention on April 15, 2000. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the establishment of a Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Hawaii. It was motioned that the four Lodges gathered unite together and form what shall be here afterward known as The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Hawaii and Its Jurisdiction, Inc. The motion was seconded and carried.

On June 2, 2001, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Hawaii and Its Jurisdiction, Inc. had its consecration and dedication forming Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 1, Kaneohe Bay Lodge No. 2, and New Hope Lodge No. 3.

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Hawaii and Its Jurisdiction, Inc. www.mwphglofhawii.org Mission Statement: “It is the mission of this Grand Lodge to provide a strong and viable leadership for the Prince Hall Masonic Family of Hawaii. To exemplify the tenets of Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. To enthusiastically advocate the traditions of Freemasonry in the governance and guardianship of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the State of Hawaii. To promote Integrity and Truth in all dealing with man and to facilitate the charitable trust and education programs of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Hawaii. To develop and implement programs to assist the Constituent Lodges to be more active and visible in the community. As Freemasons our goal is to be that beacon of light in our communities that exemplify good citizenship by the promotion of a personal virtue and public benevolence. We hold and promote the concept that the true measure of a Mason is not what he say or do in the Lodge, but rather his conduct and adherence to moral teachings and duties that Freemasonry teaches while outside the Lodge.”

Freemasonry is the oldest, largest most widely known and acknowledge fraternity in the world. A fraternity is a group of men associated for a common purpose. Part of that purpose is the spreading of friendship, morality and brotherly love. Its principles are religiously founded; however, it is not a religion. It does not prescribe to any one religion for that is the privilege of each individual member and is not infringed upon by the fraternity. Everyone that comes into its lodge must have a belief in a “Supreme Being.” Some would say that masonry is “that beautiful being of morality, veiled in allegory and expressed by symbols.” Other would say that since the word “Mason” means to build then masonry is the practice of building a man spiritually, morally, and ethically. There is no part of portion that ever interferes with a man’s service to his God, to his country, nor to his family. Throughout history masons have been the leasers in the struggle for freedom, equality, and justice. Many of the documents created for the government of these United States were written by masons. So is much of all that we love, honor and respect as Americans. Freemasonry is a charitable organization with tax exempt status due to its non-profit base. Money collected from its membership in the form of dues, support many well know and local charities such as Sickle Cell, Colleges, and Hospitals (Shrine’s) to name a few.

Prince Hall borne by our Masonic organizations in the United States, and thousand of Masons, who regard themselves as descendants from the Grand Lodge of England from which he received his authority more than two centuries ago. We in America celebrated in 1976 the two hundredth anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. This is also the two hundred and first (201st) anniversary of the founding of Prince Hall Masonry. It is monument to Prince Hall’s life, career and leadership. Many rumors of the birth of Prince Hall have arisen. Few records and papers have been found of him either in Barbados where it was rumored that he was born. We as masons acknowledge his birth in British West Indies approximately 1748. Moreover, he was a very committed man to his goals. He entered the United States during the year of 1765; at which, he made his home in Boston Massachusetts. Prince Hall was an outstanding leader among the Massachusetts community. For example, Prince hall was strongly against slavery. Many blacks, during the period of 1777 until 1788 knew that “sunlight was not painting pictures on clouds for the negro race.” Prince Hall instantly noticed good caring and helps men to aid and assists him by having the slaves returned back to there home in Massachusetts. While this was transpiring he became the first man of color to receive the degrees of Freemasonry in the United States. He wanted to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursue of happiness. Prince Hall believed that all men were free. His belief was that you accept any man who is worthy and well qualified.

A significant event in Masonry on March 6, 1775, when Prince Hall and fourteen other men of color were initiated in Masonry.

We the members of Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 1 enlighten the public in general about the numerous charitable, fraternal, and social events the lodge does, and to raise the moral, social, intellectual and spiritual conscience of our society by teaching the ancient and enduring philosophical tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

We are a Lodge of winners forever committed to focus on integrity, through friendship, morality, & brotherly Love.”

Download the Cosmopolitan History (PDF)