Wat Thai Hawaii, Thai Temple Hawaii, วัดไทยในฮาวาย
Wat Buddhajakramongkovararam is also known as "Wat Thai Pearl City" or "Wat Pearl" by its location. The temple was established in June 19, 1986 by the leadership of Phra Mongkol Thep Molee as a Non-Profit Organization, as permitted by the U.S. government on June 25, 1986. The temple was planned and built with the patronage of Burin Kathaphoom’s g
roup, Krisana Hossford’s group, and some Thai, Laotian, and Cambodian Buddhism followers. During the first period of establishment, the temple rented a house at 99-188 Kipapa Drive # 72 Mililani Town. A year later, the temple rented and moved to a new house at 1609 Hooheno Street in Pearl City. Finally, the temple bought a one-story house with 8 rooms and 4 bathrooms on a 16,000 square foot lot where the temple is located now. The current property is located at 872-A Second Street, Pearl City. The building is divided into 2 sections. The first section, front half, is comprised of 5 bedrooms. These rooms are reserved for the monks. The other section, back half, is comprised of 3 rooms; office, storage room, and a big living room. The big living room is reserved for ceremonies and activities. The temple paid off the mortgage of $195,500 in November 30, 2002. To support the visitors and to increase the capacity of the ceremony room, the temple has been renovated by lifting up the living section of the first floor and constructing a large ceremony room under it in November 2008. The total renovation was divided into 3 phases. The first phase of renovation was completed by a local contractor. This phase included tearing down the second section and rebuilding a new ceremony room, lifting the living section and laying a new foundation, and new wiring. The second phase of the renovation was completed by the monks and temple helpers. This included wood laminate flooring for the new ceremony room and monks' rooms, painting, and renovation of the 2 bathrooms. The last phase also was done by the monks and temple helpers. The third phase included interior walls, the office room, renovated of the 2 bathrooms, electric wiring, sound system, and etc.