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Hilo's Kawamoto Pool Closed After Lightning Storm Damage
County officials say the pool pump needs to be repaired, which could take at least two weeks.
Mar. 26, 2026 at 1:25am
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The Charles 'Sparky' Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo, Hawaii has been closed until further notice after the pool pump was damaged during a lightning storm on Monday. With the pump inoperable, the County Department of Parks and Recreation closed the facility, and an electrician and pool pump repair contractor have been brought in to remove and fix the damaged equipment.
Why it matters
The Kawamoto pool is an important community resource for swimming lessons, aquatics programs, and recreational use. Its closure will disrupt schedules and force the relocation of activities to the NAS Swimming Pool while repairs are underway.
The details
After the lightning storm on Monday, the County Department of Parks and Recreation closed the Kawamoto pool facility. An electrician and pool pump repair contractor assessed the damage and determined the pump needs to be removed and repaired, a process that is now underway. The department anticipates the pool could be closed for at least two weeks.
- The lightning storm that damaged the pool pump occurred on Monday, March 25, 2026.
- The Kawamoto pool was closed on Tuesday, March 26, 2026.
The players
Charles 'Sparky' Kawamoto Swim Stadium
A public swimming pool facility located in Hilo, Hawaii.
County Department of Parks and Recreation
The local government agency responsible for managing and maintaining the Kawamoto pool.
NAS Swimming Pool
Another public swimming pool in Hilo that will host some of the displaced aquatics programs while the Kawamoto pool is closed for repairs.
What’s next
The County Department of Parks and Recreation expects the Kawamoto pool to be closed for at least two weeks while the damaged pump is repaired.
The takeaway
The closure of the Kawamoto pool, a key community resource, highlights the vulnerability of public infrastructure to extreme weather events and the importance of maintaining and upgrading critical facilities to ensure uninterrupted access for residents.
