The first service in the temple was conducted by Rev. Yoshio Ito from Japan. Rev. Ito came directly to Kauai in September 1922 and served until March 1924, when ill health compelled him to return to Japan. During the period between April 23 to November 1924, when Kapaa Hongwanji was without a minister, the Rev. Hiseki Miyasaki of Lihue Hongwanji, conducted services at Kapaa Hongwanji.

During the next four years from October 1924 to January 1929, Rev. Josen Deme, a resident minister at Kealia Hongwanji, conducted services at Kapaa Hongwanji. He also served as the Japanese language school teacher for both missions.

In February 1929, Rev. Koyoei Toyoaki arrived from Ishikawa, Japan to serve as a resident minister until June 1939. Many changes took place during his ten-year ministry. Three parcels of land were purchased from the Territory of Hawaii. A YBA hall was constructed on the newly acquired land. In April 1938, a new temple was built and a few years later language school classrooms. A Boy Scout troop was also sponsored by Kapaa Hongwanji during this time.

In June 1939, Rev. Hironori Nishie became the resident minister. He was instrumental in organizing a Judo Club. The World War II years were troubling times for all Buddhist ministers in Hawaii and in December 1941, he was sent to a relocation camp on the mainland. During Rev. Nishie’s internment, Mr. Jihei Miura was elected to take care of Kapaa Hongwanji’s "Butsudan." During this period, all facilities were used by the United States army as officer’s headquarters. It was also during this time that all properties belonging to Kapaa Hongwanji were deeded to Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii. After the war, Rev. Nishie was assigned to Moiliili Hongwanji on Oahu.

Rev. Konin Matano was assigned to Kapaa from January 1946 to October 1948. Kapaa was without a minister during the next two years and Rev. Shodo Umehara of Lihue Hongwanji assisted Kapaa Hongwanji with various services and church activities.

Rev. Seikaku Takesono arrived at Kapaa in April 1950 and remained as the resident minister for the next eighteen years. Many programs were instituted during these years. The Boy Scout program was reactivated and became the largest in the community. The Wakokai, composed of younger English-speaking women, was officially charted in November 3, 1950. The Wakokai worked closely with the Fujinkai and other Kyodan members. In 1955, the Wakokai was credited for the addition of a kitchen wing to the classroom and hall. The Wakokai has been inactive since 1980. In January 1992, the Fujinkai adopted a new name, namely "The Kapaa Hongwanji Women’s Association." Over the years many Wakokai members have joined this association. On January 1956, Kapaa Hongwanji’s first monthly bulletin, "Spotlight" was published. At the time, the bulletins were hand-delivered by district representatives, Chiho-riji. Rev. Takesono also initiated the Sr. YBA, Jr. YBA, Lotus Club, and the Girl Scout program. He was assigned to Honolulu Betsuin in February 1968.

In March 1972, a new temple was constructed and dedicated during Rev. Hiromi Kawaji’s residency. He arrived from Honolulu in 1968 and remained for six and a half years. In October 1972, Kapaa Hongwanji’s 50^th Anniversary was celebrated. Rev. Kawaji, as well as the minister prior to him, often traveled to Kilauea and Hanalei to conduct monthly services to Buddhist followers who were not church members. Rev. Kawaji was assigned to Pearl City Hongwanji in1974.

From August 1974 to February 1976, Rev. Shinryu Fujio was assigned to Kapaa Hongwanji. During this period, Kapaa Hongwanji’s membership increased; Kealia Hongwanji closed and its thirty members joined Kapaa Hongwanji and soon afterwards Kilauea and Hanalei Buddhists also became members. Rev. Fujio transferred to Hawaii Betsuin.

Rev. Kojin Suehira arrived in September 1976 and served until October 1979. Under his encouragement, many volunteers assisted with the construction of the Kokee Hongwanji Camp which dedicated on September 10, 1977. In that same year, Cub Scout Pack 103 was chartered and the Boy Scout program was reactivated. Rev. Suehira was transferred to Mililani Hongwanji in October 1979.

Rev. Nobuyuki Okamoto was assigned to Kapaa in November 1979 and he remained until his departure to Japan in November 1981. He was one of the first ministers to be fluent in both English and Japanese. Prior to his departure construction began on the recreation hall and kitchen complex; the building was dedicated in 1982.

Rev. Seido Kamakazu was assigned to Kapaa in June 1983 but he returned to Japan a few months later.

In August 1984, Rev. Hosho Shindo was transferred to Kapaa from Koloa Hongwanji. In October 1984, he traveled to Japan with thirty United Fujinkai members for 20^th Aki Hiroshima Anniversary celebrations. Rev. Shindo was a Judo expert and taught at Lihue and Kilauea. In September 1986, he was transferred to Kona Hongwanji.

Kapaa Hongwanji was without a resident minister for the next two years. During this time, Rev. Tatsuo Muneto of Lihue Hongwanji assisted Kapaa with services and other matters.

Rev. Shinkai Murakami was transferred to Kapaa from Hilo Betsuin in January 1988. In 1991, the temple underwent major repairs and a ramp was installed at the same time. The Hongwanji members volunteered their time to paint the temple, hall, and the personage. In April 1992, 70^th anniversary for the temple includes the 20^th anniversary for the new temple building, 10^th anniversary for the recreation hall and the kitchen were celebrated. In April 1993, Fujinkai’s 80^th anniversary was also cerebrated. In 1995, Rev. Murakami was transferred to Pearl City Hongwanji.

Rev. Henry Tanaka was transferred to Kapaa from Hanapepe Hongwanji in 1995. Rev. Tanaka visited members to reactive Dharma School. In 1997, he started Dharma School service with 19 children. In May 1998, he retired from Hawaii Kyodan ministry. He is now trying to establish a new Kapolei-Makakilo-Ewa Hongwanji.

Kapaa Hongwanji’s present minister, Rev. Koho Takata, transferred to Kapaa from Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin in June 1998. In July 1998, Kyodan adopted a new name of monthly bulletin "Oneness" from "Spotlight" which continued over 40 years. In May 1999, Jr. YBA was reactivated. In August 1999, Dharma School PTA was organized by Dharma School parents and teachers. Those youth groups became the largest parties in Hongwanji temples on Kauai. In January 2000, Senior Buddhists’ Association was organized. In February, 2000, a minister’s parsonage was renovated. In June, 2002, the new altar was installed in the temple. In October, 2002, Kapaa Hongwanji celebrated the Triple Celebration which was New Altar Dedication, 80^th anniversary for Kyodan, and 90^th anniversary for Fujinkai.  In November, 2003, the first annual Thanksgiving Day Interfaith Service was observed at Kapaa Hongwanji Mission sponsored by the Kapaa Interfaith Association and also hosted a community food service.  Over 400 meals were served to the community and about 130 meals were delivered to the elderly and handicapped people.