Elks Lodge 2230
The Elks Lodge 2230 was established in April of 1961. The first lodge opened in Kailua and there were three subsequent moves that led to the Lodge at 48 Maluniu Ave in 2012. For eleven years Elks members of 2230 shared memories, broke bread, said prayers, danced, played music, and more. A lease was signed for our new location at 29 Hoolai Street in the Spring of 2023 and construction has begun.
the origin of the elks lodge
The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune.
Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian’s leadership. They called themselves the Jolly Corks.
When one of their members died in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to lead it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks.
Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian’s leadership. They called themselves the Jolly Corks.
When one of their members died in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to lead it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks.
the elks lodge today
Since inception in 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has grown from a small gathering of people with good deeds in their hearts to the largest fraternal organization in the U.S. With over 800 thousand members, the Elks have contributed more than $3.6 billion in donations for the nation’s youth, veterans, disadvantaged and handicapped, and to individuals and groups in support of patriotic and civic programs.
Each year Elks give more than $80 million in contributions and is one of the largest private providers of college scholarships in the United States. If you amazed at these numbers and wonder why this is not common knowledge, it is because the heart of Elkdom is always humble.
Currently, there are over 2100 active Elk Lodges in the United States, each identified by a number and the name of the city in which the Lodge resides. Here in Hawai‘i we have over 100 years of history. Currently there are five lodges in Hawaii: Honolulu Lodge 616, Hilo Lodge 759, Kailua Lodge 2230, Kona Lodge 2616, and Pearl City Lodge 2669.
Each year Elks give more than $80 million in contributions and is one of the largest private providers of college scholarships in the United States. If you amazed at these numbers and wonder why this is not common knowledge, it is because the heart of Elkdom is always humble.
Currently, there are over 2100 active Elk Lodges in the United States, each identified by a number and the name of the city in which the Lodge resides. Here in Hawai‘i we have over 100 years of history. Currently there are five lodges in Hawaii: Honolulu Lodge 616, Hilo Lodge 759, Kailua Lodge 2230, Kona Lodge 2616, and Pearl City Lodge 2669.
120 Years of elks in hawai'i
Voyage to Hawaii (1898)
With thousands of lodge chapters opening throughout the nation – since the initial creation in New York in 1867 – BPOE made its way into Honolulu after annexation in 1898 Judge Jerome B. Fisher, Grand Exalted Ruler of the BPOE, made a special voyage to Hawaii to preside at the opening of Honolulu Elks Lodge No. 616, when he and Mainland members landed in Honolulu in April 1901.
With thousands of lodge chapters opening throughout the nation – since the initial creation in New York in 1867 – BPOE made its way into Honolulu after annexation in 1898 Judge Jerome B. Fisher, Grand Exalted Ruler of the BPOE, made a special voyage to Hawaii to preside at the opening of Honolulu Elks Lodge No. 616, when he and Mainland members landed in Honolulu in April 1901.
Early Elks Baseball (1903)
PLAY BALL! Umpires called 616 Elks to the baseball diamond for the first time on a bright Saturday in 1903. It was a day to savor after an on-off beginning to the location, League organization, and Elk participation. The Elks played the Kamehamehas in their first ever game. The Elks lineup retained Brown, Cunha, Kaal, Gorman, and Moore. New were King, Meyer, pitcher Perrine, and Taylor. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures from 1903 so this image is from Elks playing baseball in the 1930s.
PLAY BALL! Umpires called 616 Elks to the baseball diamond for the first time on a bright Saturday in 1903. It was a day to savor after an on-off beginning to the location, League organization, and Elk participation. The Elks played the Kamehamehas in their first ever game. The Elks lineup retained Brown, Cunha, Kaal, Gorman, and Moore. New were King, Meyer, pitcher Perrine, and Taylor. Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures from 1903 so this image is from Elks playing baseball in the 1930s.
World War I (1914)
Hawaii may have been remote from the beginnings of World War I in June 1914, but residents felt compassion for all victims of the war. As ‘Europe’s war’ began in 1914, Elks meeting agendas focus on their Kamehameha Day Committee, financial support for the Salvation Army July 4th children’s picnic, and finding a permanent lodge site.
Hawaii may have been remote from the beginnings of World War I in June 1914, but residents felt compassion for all victims of the war. As ‘Europe’s war’ began in 1914, Elks meeting agendas focus on their Kamehameha Day Committee, financial support for the Salvation Army July 4th children’s picnic, and finding a permanent lodge site.
A Piece of Waikiki (1920)
After gaining popularity with their unique and theatrical fundraisers and carnivals—which included the 1911 standing-room-only showcase of hula and geisha performances—Mrs. Castle, wife of prominent Honolulu businessman James B. Castle, sold the Honolulu Elks Lodge their 155,000-square-foot property in the then countryside of Waikiki, a property she could not tend to after her husband’s passing in 1918.
After gaining popularity with their unique and theatrical fundraisers and carnivals—which included the 1911 standing-room-only showcase of hula and geisha performances—Mrs. Castle, wife of prominent Honolulu businessman James B. Castle, sold the Honolulu Elks Lodge their 155,000-square-foot property in the then countryside of Waikiki, a property she could not tend to after her husband’s passing in 1918.
Hawaii’s First Presidential visit (1934)
In 1934, the US President and Hawaii Governor were Elks. Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited Hawaii on July 24-28, 1934, the first President to do so. The visit was a stopover on a cruise starting July 1, 1934, at Annapolis, through the Panama Canal to Portland. Local headlines in every language used in Hawaii heralded his visit. Photo from the FDR Presidential Library.
In 1934, the US President and Hawaii Governor were Elks. Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited Hawaii on July 24-28, 1934, the first President to do so. The visit was a stopover on a cruise starting July 1, 1934, at Annapolis, through the Panama Canal to Portland. Local headlines in every language used in Hawaii heralded his visit. Photo from the FDR Presidential Library.
War Comes to 616 Elks (1941)
The Dec 7, 1941, attack caused chaos in Honolulu. In the next few days Oahu families found space in their homes for military wives and children from Schofield, Pearl, and other bases. Although Grand Lodge’s Elks War Commission offered to take Hawaii Elk children under a program to house war zone evacuees at the Elks National Home, none apparently went. The Elko, NV, lodge stands out as sending funds to aid Oahu.
The Dec 7, 1941, attack caused chaos in Honolulu. In the next few days Oahu families found space in their homes for military wives and children from Schofield, Pearl, and other bases. Although Grand Lodge’s Elks War Commission offered to take Hawaii Elk children under a program to house war zone evacuees at the Elks National Home, none apparently went. The Elko, NV, lodge stands out as sending funds to aid Oahu.
National Flag Day (1949)
For many years the Elks tried to get the United States government to proclaim a day just for our American Flag. It took another Elk, President Harry S. Truman, to set June 14th as our national Flag Day.
For many years the Elks tried to get the United States government to proclaim a day just for our American Flag. It took another Elk, President Harry S. Truman, to set June 14th as our national Flag Day.
