HONOLULU — With the holidays speedily approaching, kids and adults around Oahu have all been wondering if Ice Palace will ever reopen. Hawaii’s only full-fledged ice rink shut its doors in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and many have been wondering when they’ll ever be able to cruise the ice again.

What You Need To Know

  • Ice Palace Hawaii, the state's only full-fledged ice rink, closed in March 2020 during the pandemic

  • The venue is home to an ice skating school as well as a youth and adult hockey league

  • The venue remains closed and is undergoing various renovations and repairs

  • A representative for the strip mall that houses the ice rink suggested it may reopen in January or February 2022

The beloved venue is home to an ice skating school, a youth and adult hockey league, countless birthday parties and epic skate sessions. It has hosted notable events such as the Annual Hawaii Curling Club Charity Classic, which made headlines with the arrival of U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Tyler George and U.S. Paralympian Steve Emt.

Even Olympic gold medalist and figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi has been a guest at this local favorite.

Ice Palace is also home to the annual Hawaiian Classic Ice Hockey Tournament, which hosts 16 teams from the U.S. and Canada. They return year after year for the opportunity to play the icy cold sport in one of the most famously warm places in the world.

This tournament always makes headlines because quite a few former NHL players who now play in adult leagues stir up the scene.

“Playing hockey was a great release from work stress and the like, as well as the obvious health benefits,” said Derek Scarlino, 37, a center on the "Motherpuckers" Adult Hockey league. “I’ve played since childhood, and thought how unique it was to live and play hockey in the [Central Pacific Ocean]. It’s been frustrating since the closure, but understandable to a point due to how much COVID has impacted the globe.”

Unfortunately for fans, the venue is still closed and has been undergoing various repairs and renovations. 

Spectrum News reached out to the ice rink's managers, but they declined to offer any details about reopening plans. However, when we spoke to the administrative offices of Stadium Mall, the strip mall in which the rink is nestled, a representative suggested January or February 2022 as possible reopening dates.

For patrons and employees alike, the wait continues.

“It never felt like a job,” said Robert Moorman, 40, a Zamboni driver for Ice Palace. “I’d be with my family and run into kids who skated regularly, and they would always be so amped up about going to the rink. Plus, I had the opportunity to play hockey in paradise. We all can’t wait for it to open back up.”