KAIMUKI — Denise Inouye used to send her two children to the city-run summer program at Kapaolono Community Park before the pool was closed for renovations nearly two years ago.

Subsequently, the summer program was canceled, too. Now she sends her kids to Kanewai Community Park on Dole Street, another 10 minutes away.

"The thing about (Kapaolono) pool is that the lifeguards would open right after summer fun, and the kids would swim until the parents picked them up," said Inouye, a Kaimuki resident. "It was so convenient."

Construction at the pool at Kapaolono Community Park has been delayed at least three times because of unforeseen problems, and residents now face another summer without it.

Work on the popular neighborhood pool began in August 2005 and was scheduled to be completed by April 2006.

Some work resumed last week, and the reopening is now slated for the end of the year, said Eugene Lee, director of the city's Department of Design and Construction.

Also, the cost of the project, initially set at $762,000, has increased to about $822,000 because of the extra work not included in the original estimate, Lee said.

"It's a very well-used pool," said Mike Abe, chairman of the Kaimuki Neighborhood Board. "It's just been a real convenient thing for us."

Like other Kaimuki residents who used the pool, Abe said he's frustrated with the delays.

"(The city) told us six months and the pool would be back in order," Abe said. "It's been two years. I just don't get it."

On Friday, a black tarp stretched over the empty pool, its deck littered with concrete chunks from work done earlier in the week.

Repairs to the pool include lining it with ceramic tiles, renovating the pool deck and walkways, adding new storage space and improving the restrooms.

Last year, cracks in the pool's concrete shell were found after the plastic pool lining was removed. That resulted in the first delay. The problem was resolved in January, and tiling and other work resumed.

Workers later discovered that the bottom and sides of the pool were not flat, requiring additional unexpected work, Lee said. The underwater lights, which were deteriorated, also needed to be replaced.

"These unforeseen situations have unfortunately delayed the work for about three months," Lee said.

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.