About Us
History of the Hawaii Jurisdiction
The idea of expanding the Order to the Hawaiian Islands arose in the early 1900's. No councils were organized and the situation remained static until 1919 when the idea was revisited, sparked by the KofC Hut Program for servicemen which operated in Hawaii.
Over the years, the idea of instituting a council, specifically in Honolulu, recurred. In 1941, records seem to indicate that Supreme Board of Directors granted permission for a council in Hawaii but again the idea seemed to fade away perhaps due to the onset of WII.
In 1959, Rev. LaSalle E. Lenk, O.F.M., Conv., Army Chaplain at Scholfield Barracks began the organization process. With the permission of Bishop James J. Sweeney and a change in Hawaiian law that would allow KofC to sell insurance to members. Our Lady of Peace Council 5000 signed the notice of institution.
To date, Hawaii has over 2000 members and 32 councils on the island of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. American Samoa council 14808 is also under the Hawaii jurisdiction.
(Pictured 1) Photo of the former Knights of Columbus Building circa 1959, today the Diocese Chancery stands in its place; 2) Photo of the famous Kiawe tree planted by Catholic missionaries in the early 1900's; 3) Our Lady of Peace Church now known as the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace — also known by its original French name Cathédrale de Notre Dame de la Paix, its Portuguese variant Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Paz and its Hawaiian derivative Malia o ka Malu Hale Pule Nui — is the mother church of the Diocese of Honolulu and houses the cathedral of the Bishop of Honolulu in Honolulu, HawaiĘ»i; 4) Current image of the famed Kiawe tree stump that now sits beside the Diocese of Honolulu Chancery.
Meet our State Leadership Team!
State Committee Directors and Chairs
Larry Gonzoles
Faith Director
faith@kofchawaii.org
Liam Fowler
Community Director
community@kofchawaii.org
Matt Smolko
Life Director & Website
life@kofchawaii.org
Joshua Kapika
Family Co-Directors
family@kofchawaii.org
Angelito Alvarez
Awards & Reports Chair
awards-forms@kofchawaii.org
Normand Robert
Online Membership Chair
online@kofchawaii.org
Cicero Seisdedos
Hispanic Growth
dd5@kofchawaii.org
Chuck Furr
Vocations Chair
vocations@kofchawaii.org
Robert Camilleri
PR Chair
dm@kofchawaii.org
Lito Alvarez
Special Olympics PIDC
dm@kofhawaii.org
Melvin Cervantes
Free Throw Chair
freethrow@kofchawaii.org
Bob Noguchi
Soccer Challenge Chair
soccerchallenge@kofchawaii.org
Randy Tom
Marion & Silver Rose Chair
prayer@kofchawaii.org
Normand Robert
McGivney Guild Chair
mcgivneyguild@kofchawaii.org
Ryan Brown
eNews & Blog
sd@kofchawaii.org
Tony Langford
Disaster Response Chair
disaster-response@kofchawaii.org
Aristotle Santa Cruz
Catholic Essay Chair
catholic-essay@kofchawaii.org
Cam Datanagan
Social Media Chair
socialmedia@kofchawaii.org
“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the walland stand in the breach before me for the land…”EZEKIEL 22:30
Much of our modern culture is beset by misunderstanding and contention about what it means to be a man. Many men receive mixed messages concerning who they are and what their role is.
Men are made for greatness and the true expression of that greatness is to be heroically virtuous—and that Catholic masculinity means to have character marked by goodness and truth, strength and courage, in imitation of Christ.
The Knights of Columbus is the vehicle that helps men grow in their faith and become the men that God is calling them to be.
Step into the Breach... Join the Knights.
