Ice Palace Hawaii — Attraction in Honolulu

EDIT: By failing to reopen in a timely manner, they drove away the coaching staff and killed the sport in Hawaii.

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I've been bringing my daughter here for lessons for the past three years, so this review is reflects that perspective.

This rink hosts a variety of activities including the ISI Skate School which offers group lessons for all ages and all but the highest skill levels. My daughter started in the Tots class at age 3 or 4. They also offer classes for adults of all skill levels, but I haven't tried those. These can lead to participation in a variety of shows and competitions hosted at the rink.

They also have public skating. This is great early in the day as many of the skaters are young and in classes. As things move later in the afternoon, the rowdier teenagers show up and it isn't as fun for the little ones.

In addition to the above, they offer youth and adult hockey, but I don't have any experience with these. Perhaps my son will take an interest as he gets older.

The facilities themselves are adequate, though somewhat dated. They have the basics you would expect snack bar, lockers, restrooms, pro shop. There is second floor loft area where they host birthday parties and have a kitchen for making pizza onsite.

After coming here for three years, the staff and in particular the skate school coaching staff have come to feel like a community. Most are quite friendly...

A couple of tips for first-timers: 1: People not skating or who have their own skates do not need to pay. My grandma is incapable of skating, however she still takes me and my friends there sometimes. If you are not using their skates, you don't need to pay. 2: If you aren't going with young children, go in the later hours. It's a lot less crowded, there aren't many children and sometimes they will give deals on food. 3: DO NOT LEAVE THE RINK IF YOU PLAN TO COME BACK IN. They will not let you in again unless you pay again, or decide not to skate. 4: If this is your first time, it might be a good idea not to stay for too long. Your legs will hurt, your ankles will be swollen and if you fell then you might have bruises. Ice is hard, guys. Anyway. Ice Palace is one of my favorite places to go, even if it gets a bit expensive. The staff are usually friendly, the arcade is decent enough, and the skating games are fun for more experienced skaters (I personally like four corners the best. My friends and I have it down to a science). Ice skating in itself is fun, too, even if I'm bad and get hurt a lot. My only gripes are that you can't bring your own water (you can technically ask them for hot water? but it feels kinda weird. it's an odd thing to ask for.) and everything's real expensive, but eh. What are you going...

I'm going to do my best to be fair. Ice Palace was a surprise to me arriving on the island decades ago. Having an ice rink in Hawaii just by itself is a blessing. We use the facilities for open skate, hockey lessons, birthday parties, etc. Who doesn't love to skate right? Now for the critique.

Facilities could really use a major facelift. I had hoped with the addition of all the solar panels that any operating costs might have dropped to where they could afford the renovations necessary to be a to notch facility. I feel the staff does their best in maintaining the place, but without upgrades, It comes up lacking.

For starters, the ice seems too hard. They groom it, but shortly after solidifying, it's still bumpy. Not sure if the refrigeration system is overloaded/outdated, or if the A/C can't keep up or doesn't match the ice temperature. Whatever it is, it seems off.

The glass for the boards... I can't believe that they never put in real glass. The glass on the boards is plexiglass or some low budget plastic. Which means no checking for hockey.

Snack bar has decent nachos and cheese. A good hot chocolate as well, but it's only open during the public skates.

Like I said, at least we have open skate, figure skating, and ice hockey. I just wouldn't write...