Ever wonder about the serene building before you? This is Pearl City Hongwanji. It has served the Pearl City Hawaii area since 1905.
Let’s step back in time to understand the temple’s journey. The original Pearl City Hongwanji burned down in 1936. But the members rebuilt it. They provided the labor themselves.
Look closely at the architecture. Pearl City Hongwanji is a handsome integration. It combines Japanese forms with plantation construction techniques. The bold irimoya roof faces front. You can see its repetition in the kohai. This configuration is common in Hawaii.
Notice the stone foundation. The single-walled building has three pairs of double-hung sash windows. These windows each have two panes. The building follows a rectangular floor plan.
The nave once had front sliding doors. These are gone. The front lanai is enclosed with shoji-like panels now. The naijin’s golden altars were made in Japan. So were the hand-carved ramma. The ramma show birds amidst clouds. These images present the heavenly Pure Land.
Consider the cusp-arched shoji at the naijin corners. They maintain the Japanese character. They recall imagery set forth by Bishop Imamura at the Honpa Hongwanji.
The nave’s ceiling is made of canec. Canec is a fiberboard. It is made from bagasse. Bagasse is the stalk left after sugar cane juice is extracted. The Hawaiian Cellulose Company developed canec between 1926 and 1930. The Hawaii Sugar Planters’ Association supported it. Hawaii Cane Products produced canec in Hilo. They did so from 1932 to 1963. Canec was used for interior walls and ceilings. It was also used as an exterior wall covering in some houses. It is resistant to termites.
Pearl City Hongwanji offers various services. These include house blessings and dedication. The temple has affiliated groups. One is the Judo Club. It teaches Judo through discipline and sportsmanship.
Sunday service is conducted at Pearl City Hongwanji. It usually starts at 8:30 a.m. The current minister is Rev. Mariko Nishiyama. Pearl City Hongwanji is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith. It is a symbol of community. Its history is etched into its very structure. It is a serene beacon in Pearl City.