The early Masonic Lodges in Hawaii trace their roots to France, California, and Scotland. The formal establishment of Freemasonry in Hawaii occurred during the reign of King Kamehameha III, under the A.A.S.R., Supreme Council of France. This pivotal moment took place amidst the British occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom by forces led by Lord George Paulet of HMS “Carysfort”, who briefly flew the Union Jack flag over the Islands from February 25, 1843, to July 31, 1843.

Amid this uncertain period, Joseph-Marie Le Tellier, aboard the French Whaler “Ajax,” constituted Lodge Le Progres de l’Oceanie on April 8, 1843. This historic event occurred under the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of the Supreme Council of France, hosted at the store of Jules Dudoit, the French Consul at the time. Le Tellier, seeking repair work for his vessel in Honolulu, catalyzed the establishment of the first Masonic Lodge in the Hawaiian Islands. Over time, the lodge’s charter transitioned to the Grand Lodge of California in 1905, eventually finding its place within the Grand Lodge of Hawaii in 1989.

The distinction of Lodge Le Progres de l’Oceanie is underscored by the noteworthy service of Hawaiian monarchs King Kamehameha IV (1859, 1861-2) and King Kalakaua (1876) as Worshipful Masters. This rare honor places Le Progres de l’Oceanie among only two Lodges globally to have had a reigning monarch serve in the esteemed role of Worshipful Master.

Honolulu’s landscape is adorned with landmarks bearing Masonic cornerstones laid with the support of Lodge Le Progres de l’Oceanie. Notable among these landmarks are Iolani Palace, Queen’s Hospital, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Ali’iolani Hale, and Honolulu City Hall.

Lodge Le Progres de l’Oceanie Charter Members, April 1843

Joseph M. Le Tellier, Founder; Lorient, France; Master Mariner
John Meek*; Marblehead, Mass.; Master Mariner
Stephen Reynolds*; Boxford Mass.; Merchant
Capt. Eliab Grimes *; Massachusettes; Master Mariner, Merchant
George Pelly*; England; Agent, Hudson’s Bay Co.
Robert C. Janion*; England; Mechant
Robert W. Wood*; Stowe, Mass.; Physician
William Paty; Plymouth, Mass.; Merchant, Harbor Master
John Paty; Plymouth, Mass; Master Mariner
William Davis; Honolulu, Hawaii; Merchant
Robert Davis; Honolulu, Hawaii; Merchant
Abraham H. Fayerweather; New Canaan, Conn.; Sugar Planter
Frederick W. Thompson; Charlestown, Mass.; Auctioneer
John R. von Pfister; Germany; Merchant
Jules Dudoit; France; Merchant, French Consul
Joseph O. Carter Sr.; United States; Mariner

Note: Asterisks indicate previous Masonic affiliation before joining Le Progres. Source: “List of Members of Lodge Le Progres de l’Oceanie, From 1843