Top Emergency Electricians in Hilo, HI, 96720 | Compare & Call
Since 1977, Walter's Electric has been a trusted electrical contractor in Hilo, HI. This family-run company offers skilled electrical installation, repair, and solar panel services for homes and businesses. Known for reliable workmanship and fair pricing, their team handles everything from panel upgrades to EV charger setup.
Ejays Handyman & Electrical Services in Hilo, HI, delivers dependable electrical repairs, handyman tasks, and solar installations. Offering 24/7 emergency support with over five years of expertise, they are recognized for efficient and trustworthy service.
Makekau Electrical is a trusted Hilo, HI electrician with over 28 years of local experience. They specialize in expert electrical repair, panel and breaker installation, and generator services. Founded in 2006, this contractor reliably serves residential and commercial clients across Hawaii Island for both scheduled projects and urgent electrical needs.
Yamamoto Electrical Services provides expert solar installation and electrical work for Hilo, HI. They handle electric panel installation, inspections, and system replacements with reliable, professional results. Known for quick response times, their skilled technicians serve both homes and businesses across the Big Island with dependable electrical solutions.
For over 40 years, Hirayama Brothers Electric has been the trusted electrician for Hilo, HI. This family-owned company handles installations, repairs, and electrical inspections, including generator services. They proudly support the local community while providing reliable electrical solutions for homes and businesses across the Big Island.
In Hilo, HI, Inouye Electric is a trusted electrical contractor with over 20 years of experience. Since 2010, they have provided skilled electrician services for residential and commercial projects, including panel repair, outlet installation, and generator setup. Their team handles electrical inspections, wiring, and light fixture repair. Fully insured and reliable, they offer quality work for all your electrical needs.
Reliable Repairs Hawaii provides expert handyman and electrical services to Hilo, HI, and across the Big Island. Known for dependable emergency repairs, their skilled technicians handle everything from circuit breakers and drywall to lighting and EV chargers. Available around the clock, they are a trusted local resource for both urgent fixes and routine property maintenance.
First Choice Electrical & Solar in Hilo, HI, provides expert electrical services and solar panel cleaning. Founded by Lopaka Wilson, a licensed electrician since 2013, the team offers emergency support with 24/7 weekend availability. They handle everything from panel repairs to generator installation, serving communities across the Big Island with reliable work.
Fukunaga Electrical is a reliable electrician serving Hilo, HI and surrounding communities. They provide thorough electrical inspections and repair services for homes and businesses. With a focus on safety and customer satisfaction, their skilled team is known for trustworthy and efficient work. You can count on them for dependable electrical solutions across the Big Island.
Located in Hilo, HI, Edward Hirayama Electric provides trusted electrical services to the local community. Their skilled electricians handle electrical inspections and other essential services. The company is a reliable choice for residents across the Big Island, serving areas from Hawaiian Beaches to Volcano. They are known for their dependable workmanship and commitment to quality.
When the Lights Go Out: Your Guide to Emergency Electrician Services in Hilo, HI
Living in Hilo means enjoying lush rainforests, stunning ocean views, and a vibrant community. It also means dealing with a unique climate that can be tough on your home’s electrical system. The frequent tropical downpours, high humidity, and salty ocean air create the perfect storm for electrical issues. When you smell burning plastic after a heavy rain in Waiakea, or your lights start flickering during a storm in Downtown, you need help fast. That’s where a 24/7 emergency electrician in Hilo, HI, becomes your first call. We’re here to explain everything you need to know—from what a real emergency looks like to what it costs—so you can protect your home and family.
What Is an Emergency Electrician?
Think of an emergency electrician as the first responder for your home’s electrical system. Unlike a scheduled electrician who comes for upgrades or installations, an emergency electrician is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Their job is to respond to urgent, dangerous situations that can’t wait until morning. They arrive in a fully stocked truck, ready to diagnose and fix the problem on the spot, prioritizing your safety above all else. When you have smoke coming from an outlet or no power on a stormy Hilo night, these are the experts you call.
What Counts as a Real Electrical Emergency in Hilo?
Not every flicker is a crisis, but some signs mean you should call (888) 903-2131 now. An electrical emergency is any situation that poses an immediate risk of fire, electrocution, or major property damage. Here are the clear red flags:
- Burning Smells or Smoke: If you smell burning plastic or see smoke from an outlet, switch, or appliance panel, this is a top-priority emergency. In humid Hilo, moisture can corrode connections, leading to overheating.
- Sparks or Arcing: Visible sparks, buzzing sounds, or flashes from electrical fixtures are dangerous and can start a fire instantly.
- Complete Power Loss (When Neighbors Have Power): If your entire home is dark but your neighbor’s lights are on, the issue is likely in your service panel or meter. During a summer storm, a fallen breadfruit or mango tree branch in neighborhoods like Kaumana can damage your service drop.
- Water Contact with Electricity: If flooding, a leaking roof, or a burst pipe has made contact with outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, it’s an extreme shock hazard.
- Exposed or Damaged Wires: Any wires you can see, especially if they are frayed or cracked, are live and dangerous.
- Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips: If a breaker trips repeatedly and won’t stay reset, it’s signaling a serious fault like a short circuit.
Hilo’s Climate and Homes: A Recipe for Electrical Issues
Our beautiful environment directly impacts our wiring. Hilo’s near-constant humidity accelerates corrosion on outdoor connections, meter boxes, and even inside panels in poorly ventilated spaces. The salty ocean air compounds this, eating away at aluminum wiring and service cable sheathing, particularly in coastal areas like Keaukaha. Older homes built before the 1970s in historic areas like Downtown Hilo often have older 60-amp or 100-amp panels that can’t handle modern air conditioning and appliance loads, leading to overloads.
Furthermore, Hilo’s heavy rainfall can lead to flooding in low-lying areas, raising the risk of water intrusion into outdoor outlets and ground-level panels. During storms, it’s not uncommon for service drops—the wires from the pole to your house—to be damaged by falling branches or even by the weight of wet h?pu?u (tree fern) fronds. This local context is exactly why having a trusted emergency electrician in Hilo, HI, on speed dial is so important.
Understanding the Cost of an Emergency Electrician in Hilo
Emergency services cost more than a scheduled appointment, and it’s important to understand why. You’re paying for immediate dispatch, after-hours labor, and the priority that keeps a team ready to go. Here’s a transparent breakdown of what you might pay, based on local industry averages and the unique factors of our island location.
Typical Cost Components:
- Emergency Call-Out Fee: This is a flat fee to dispatch the truck, typically ranging from $100 to $250 in Hilo. It covers the immediate response and initial assessment.
- After-Hours Premium: Work performed on nights, weekends, or holidays usually incurs a labor multiplier. Expect to pay 1.5 to 2.5 times the standard hourly rate. Standard rates in Hawaii County range from $85 to $130 per hour, so emergency labor can be $130 to $325 per hour.
- Diagnostics Fee: This may be included in the call-out fee or charged separately ($50-$150) to locate the problem.
- Parts & Materials: Cost varies widely. A replacement circuit breaker might be $50, while a new service panel can be $1,500-$3,000. Given Hilo’s supply chain, parts may have a slight premium.
- Travel Fees: For remote locations in Puna or Hamakua, a distance-based travel fee may apply.
- Permit & Inspection Fees: For major repairs like panel replacements, the electrician will pull a County of Hawaii electrical permit ($50-$300+), and the work will require a county inspection, which is included in the overall project cost.
Real-World Cost Scenarios for Hilo:
- Midnight Breaker Panel Repair: Call-out fee ($150) + 2 hours of emergency labor ($130/hr x 2 = $260) + parts ($100) = Approximately $510.
- Weekend Storm Damage Assessment & Minor Repair: Call-out ($200) + diagnostics ($100) + 3 hours labor ($300) + materials ($200) = Approximately $800.
- Replacing a Flood-Damaged Outdoor Outlet on a Holiday: Call-out ($120) + 1 hour labor ($150) + waterproof outlet ($40) = Approximately $310.
While it’s an extra expense, it’s an investment in preventing a catastrophic house fire or prolonged outage, especially during Hilo’s unpredictable weather.
When to Call vs. When to Wait
Knowing how to triage can save you money and help emergency teams prioritize life-threatening calls.
Call Immediately (Day or Night): For any of the “red flag” emergencies listed above. If in doubt, it’s always safer to call. Dial Hilo Emergency Electrician at (888) 903-2131 without hesitation.
It Can Likely Wait for Normal Hours: A single non-essential outlet not working, a light switch that feels loose, planning an upgrade, or a flickering light that only happens occasionally. You can schedule these with a regular electrician.
Remember, if you see a downed power line, stay far away and call Hawaii Electric Light (HELCO) immediately at (808) 969-6666. They handle the lines up to your meter.
How to Pick the Right Emergency Electrician in Hilo
In an emergency, you might just grab the first number you see. But a little preparation helps. Look for a local, licensed, and insured electrician who explicitly offers 24/7 emergency service. Read reviews to see how they handle after-hours calls. Do they answer the phone directly? Are they transparent about pricing? A good emergency electrician will give you a clear estimate over the phone for the call-out and diagnostic fees before they dispatch.
That’s the standard we hold ourselves to at Hilo Emergency Electrician. We’re locally based, so our typical response time across Hilo, Waiakea, and Kea?au is 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic and weather. We know the specific codes and challenges of Hawaii County homes.
What to Do Until Your Electrician Arrives: A Safety Checklist
- Stay Safe: Keep everyone, especially children and pets, away from the affected area.
- Shut Off Power (If Safe): If the problem is isolated (like a smoking appliance), unplug it. If it’s a circuit, turn off the breaker. Only shut off the main breaker if you know how and can do so safely—standing on a dry surface.
- Call the Utility if Needed: For downed lines or if you lose power and your neighbors did too, call HELCO at (808) 969-6666.
- Document the Issue: Take clear photos of any damage, sparks, or the affected equipment for your insurance company and for the electrician.
- Have Information Ready: Know your home’s approximate age, when the problem started, and any recent electrical work. This helps us prepare.
Local Regulations and Working with Your Utility
In Hawaii County, most permanent electrical repairs require a permit and inspection. A reputable emergency electrician will handle pulling the permit for you after stabilizing the immediate danger. For example, if we replace your entire breaker panel on a Sunday to get your power back on, we’ll file the permit with the county first thing Monday morning and schedule the required inspection. This ensures your repair is safe, legal, and documented for future home sales. Always ask for a copy of the permit and inspection certificate.
Don’t Wait for Disaster to Strike
Electrical emergencies are stressful, but knowing what to do makes all the difference. In Hilo, where the weather can turn a minor issue into a major hazard quickly, having a plan is part of being a prepared homeowner. If you hear a strange buzz from your panel in Pana?ewa or see a flicker that won’t quit in Downtown, trust your instincts.
For immediate, expert help from a local team that understands Hilo’s unique electrical challenges, call the professionals at Hilo Emergency Electrician. We are your 24/7 emergency electrician in Hilo, HI, ready to restore your safety and peace of mind.
Call Hilo Emergency Electrician Now at (888) 903-2131
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