HILO >> When snow falls on the summit of Mauna Kea on Hawaii’s Big Island, it usually means a rare opportunity for Hawaii residents to build snowmen and have snowball fights.

But an ice storm has kept the summit inaccessible for more than a week, the longest known period the area has been closed because of winter weather.

Office of Mauna Kea Management Director Stephanie Nagata tells the Hawaii Tribune-Heraldthat it’s just a "sea of ice up there."

The ice melts during the day but refreezes when cold winds come later in the day and at night.

It’s caused treacherous conditions on roads and parking lots, and portable toilets are crusted in ice.

Rangers planned to evaluate road conditions again Friday.