Emergency Pool Repair
When your pool has an emergency, every hour counts. Help with pump failures, leaks, green pools, electrical problems, and storm damage across East Honolulu.
Your pump just died. Water is running across the deck. The pool turned green overnight. When you need emergency pool repair in Hawaii Kai or anywhere in East Honolulu, every hour you wait makes it worse and more expensive. Call Koko Head Pool Service at 808-399-4388 and talk directly to Paul Costello, the owner.
There’s no call center and no dispatcher sending whoever’s free from across the island. We’re a family-owned pool company based in East Honolulu, and when you call with an emergency, Paul answers the phone himself.
When to Call for Emergency Pool Repair
Not every pool problem is an emergency, but the real ones need fast action. Call us right away if you’re dealing with any of these:
- Complete pump or motor failure: with no circulation, your water starts going bad within hours in Hawaii’s heat
- Significant water leaks: a cracked pipe or blown fitting can drain thousands of gallons and damage your property
- Pool turned green: a fast algae bloom means a chemistry or equipment failure that gets harder to fix every day
- Electrical faults: breakers tripping over and over, sparking near equipment, or any electrical problem near water is a safety emergency
- Storm damage: high winds, heavy rain, or fallen branches can damage pumps, filters, plumbing, and the pool itself
- Heater malfunction: gas leaks, ignition failures, or overheating are real safety hazards
- Commercial pool shutdown: compliance issues or equipment failures that close a pool need to be fixed now
Not sure if it’s an emergency? Call 808-399-4388 anyway. Paul will help you sort out how serious it is and what to do next.
Why We Can Get There Fast
We’re already in your neighborhood. We service pools across Hawaii Kai, Portlock, Kahala, Diamond Head, Aina Haina, and Kalama Valley all week. When an emergency call comes in, we’re usually close by, not across town stuck in H-1 traffic.
The owner answers the phone. You don’t get a dispatcher, a hold queue, or a promise that someone will “get back to you.” Paul picks up, listens, and figures out the fastest way to get to you.
26 years of hands-on experience. Paul has serviced pools since 2000 and has seen most of what can go wrong with an East Honolulu pool. Chances are he’s fixed your exact problem before, so he spends less time troubleshooting and more time fixing.
A Certified Pool Operator. Paul’s CPO training covers the plumbing, electrical, chemistry, and equipment side of pools, so he’s working from knowledge, not trial and error.
“We needed someone to come to our house for an emergency problem with our pump and the owner, Paul, came on a Sunday afternoon within 20-30 minutes of our calling him. He took care of the problem and we were good to go.”
Gordon A. ★★★★★
What Happens When You Call
1. You Call, Paul Answers
Call 808-399-4388 and describe what you see, hear, or smell. Paul will ask a few questions to judge how serious it is and may walk you through a few steps to limit the damage while he’s on the way.
2. Getting to You
For real emergencies in East Honolulu, Paul gets to your property as fast as he can. Because we’re based here and work this area all week, that’s often the same day.
3. Find the Real Cause
When he arrives, Paul figures out what actually failed and why, so the fix holds.
4. Repair or Stabilize
If he can fix it on the spot, it gets fixed. Paul carries common parts and tools for the usual emergencies. If a specific part is needed, he stabilizes the pool (stops the leak, protects the equipment, secures the area) and finishes the permanent repair when the part comes in.
5. Prevention Plan
Before he leaves, Paul explains what caused the failure and how to keep it from happening again. A lot of the time, the answer is regular maintenance.
“Paul answered my call right away and offered to take a look at my pool problem immediately. He also followed up the next day. His responsiveness and reliable attitude is all I needed to make my decision.”
Hannah Fiechter ★★★★★
Common Pool Emergencies We Handle
These are the calls we get most often:
Pump and Motor Failures
A dead pump means no circulation at all. In Hawaii’s heat, a pool without circulation can start growing algae within 24 to 48 hours. We find the failure (capacitor, motor winding, impeller, seal) and repair or replace it to get water moving again. For pump work that isn’t an emergency, see our pool equipment repair service.
Major Leaks
Leaking pipes, cracked fittings, blown valves, or a failing pool shell can waste thousands of gallons and damage your deck, landscaping, or foundation. We find the leak, stop the water loss, and make the repair.
Green Pool Recovery
A green pool is a health hazard, and it means something has gone wrong with the chemistry, the filtration, or both. We figure out why, shock the water, clean the filter, and bring the pool back to safe and swimmable. For ongoing care, see our pool cleaning service.
Electrical Problems
Tripping breakers, sparking equipment, or a GFCI that keeps faulting are safety emergencies. We find the electrical fault, repair or replace the part, and make sure your equipment is safe to run.
Storm Damage
Hawaii storms can dump debris in your pool, damage equipment enclosures, crack plumbing, and overwhelm the filter. We look at all of it, deal with the hazards first, and get the system working again.
Commercial Pool Emergencies
Hotels, condos, and HOA pools can’t sit closed for long. Health department rules, residents, and liability all push for a fast fix. We handle emergencies for commercial pools with the same urgency as residential ones.
What to Do Before We Arrive
- Turn off the pool equipment if you suspect an electrical problem, hear grinding or screeching from the pump, or see a major leak
- Stay out of the pool if the water is discolored or cloudy, or if there’s any electrical concern
- If water is leaking, note where: the equipment pad, a return jet, the pool wall, or under the deck
- Keep people and pets away from the pool area if anything looks unsafe
- Call 808-399-4388 and describe what you’re seeing so Paul can bring the right tools and parts
The Best Emergency Is the One That Never Happens
Most pool emergencies can be prevented. Equipment usually warns you first: motors get louder, seals start weeping, chemistry drifts, and pressure gauges creep up for weeks before something breaks. Regular maintenance is often what separates a small repair from an expensive emergency.
Our weekly pool cleaning service includes an equipment check at every visit. We catch worn seals, corroding connections, clogged filters, and other problems before they turn into a midnight phone call.
Koko Head Pool Service has been a family business since 1995, and Paul has maintained and repaired pools himself since 2000. That’s 26 years of keeping East Honolulu pools running and knowing what to look for before something fails.
Serving All of East Honolulu
In an emergency, you want someone close. We work in these neighborhoods every week:
- Hawaii Kai: our home base, and the shortest drive
- Portlock: emergency service for oceanfront pools
- Kahala: emergency help for Kahala homeowners
- Diamond Head: emergency repair from the crater to the coast
- Aina Haina: a quick drive from Hawaii Kai
- Kalama Valley: right in our part of town
Call Now
A leaking pipe won’t stop on its own, a dead pump won’t fix itself, and a green pool won’t clear up by waiting. The sooner you call, the less damage, the lower the bill, and the sooner you’re swimming again.
Call Paul Costello directly at 808-399-4388. Family-owned since 1995. Owner is a Certified Pool Operator with 26 years of experience. Right here in East Honolulu.
Getting Started Is Easy
Tell us about your pool
Call or send the two-minute quote form. Neighborhood and what you need is enough to start.
Get your price
Paul usually replies the same business day with a price or a time to come look.
Service starts on your route day
Your pool joins the weekly route. You get a heads-up whenever something needs attention.
What customers say about Koko Head Pool Service
Paul promptly arrived at my residence within 30 minutes of my call to assist me with troubleshooting an issue. Subsequently, he replaced a part on the filter on the same day, providing exceptional service and demonstrating his professionalism. I am confident that he will be the preferred provider for all my future pool maintenance needs. His service is truly exceptional, and a five-star rating does not adequately reflect his capabilities.
We lived in Hawaii Kai for many years, and have a gorgeous pool in Portlock. Went through many so-called "Professional Pool Cleaners" over the years… Some were okay, a couple were good, but most ABSOLUTELY sucked. As a Commercial & Residential Property Manager, I need the BEST for my clients. KOKO HEAD POOL SERVICE has been by far SPECTACULAR when it comes to QUALITY, PUNCTUALITY, KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS POOL SYSTEMS, EMERGENCY FAIR PRICING &, PROFESSIONALISM. Specifically PAUL COSTELLO. He and his Crew handles many of my clients, but Paul in particular is hands down favorite of them all.
We needed someone to come to our house for an emergency problem with our pump and the owner, Paul, came on a Sunday afternoon within 20-30 minutes of our calling him. He took care of the problem and we were good to go. Very friendly and helpful service!!
Guides from Paul on emergency pool repair
- Variable Speed Pool Pumps in Hawaii: Cut Your Energy Bill by 80% Hawaii has the highest electricity rates in the country. A variable speed pool pump can save $1,500+ a year and pay for itself in under two years.
- Pool Inspection for Hawaii Home Buyers: Your Complete J-1 Period Guide A pool inspection during your J-1 period may be the best few hundred dollars you spend buying a home. What inspectors check, what it costs, and the red flags that run into the thousands.
- What to Consider Before Draining Your Pool in Hawaii Draining a pool in Hawaii is riskier than on the mainland because of high water tables, porous volcanic soil, and year-round heat. Here's when draining is necessary and when a better option exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you respond to a pool emergency?
Paul answers the phone himself and puts real emergencies first. For pump failures, major leaks, or safety hazards in Hawaii Kai and East Honolulu, we get there as fast as we can, and because we're local and already working in the area, that's often the same day.
Do you charge extra for emergency pool service?
Emergency and after-hours calls may carry an extra service fee depending on the timing and the problem. You'll know the price before we start any work. A fast response almost always costs less than letting the problem get worse overnight.
What should I do while waiting for emergency pool repair?
Turn off the pool equipment if you suspect an electrical problem, see a major leak, or hear strange noises from the pump. Stay out of the water if it's discolored or there's any electrical concern. If water is leaking, try to see where it's coming from. Then call us at 808-399-4388 and tell Paul what you're seeing so he can bring the right parts.
What counts as a pool emergency vs. a routine repair?
An emergency is anything that threatens safety, is actively losing water, or will get much worse fast if it waits. That includes a dead pump, a big leak, electrical faults tripping breakers, a pool that turned green overnight, or storm damage. A cracked tile or a slow drip can usually wait for a scheduled visit. A blown pump motor or a gushing pipe can't.
Do you handle emergency repairs for commercial pools?
Yes. We handle emergencies for commercial pools, condos, and HOA pools throughout East Honolulu. Commercial pools have compliance rules and residents waiting, so a shutdown is a bigger deal, and we treat those calls with the same urgency as a home pool.
Can you fix my pool emergency permanently on the first visit?
Often, yes. Paul carries common parts and has 26 years of practice diagnosing problems on the spot. If the repair needs a part we don't have, we stabilize the pool first (stop the leak, protect the equipment, make it safe) and finish the permanent repair when the part comes in, usually within a day or two.
How can I prevent pool emergencies in the future?
Regular weekly maintenance from someone who knows what to look for. Routine service catches worn seals, tired motors, corroding connections, and drifting chemistry before they turn into failures. Our long-term maintenance customers see far fewer emergencies because we fix things early. Ask about our weekly pool cleaning and maintenance plans.