Darrens Flooring

The art of hula is celebrated every April at the Merrie Monarch Festival, the largest 3-day dance festival on the islands and named after the last monarch of Hawaii, King David Kalakaua. In addition to the hula competition, there's also a crafts fair, an art show, hula shows, and a grand parade through Hilo town.

Dolphin Quest offers the public an unprecedented opportunity to experience the wonder and amazement of dolphins, with up-close swimming experiences in deep and shallow water. Dolphin Quest is truly a hands-on experience with marine mammals that is like no other. You'll start your day with specialized training. The dolphins will swim up for their first greeting and you'll get acclimated to the water and your new ocean friends. During your encounter, you'll feed the dolphins, touch them and play with them. You'll also swim alongside these beautiful creatures in shallow and deep water. Personalized photos and a video CD of your experience will preserve the moment forever. Besides offering dolphin encounters, Dolphin Quest also is devoted to conservation of marine wildlife through research, successful breeding programs and excellent animal health care.

The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii was once a bastion built to protect Hawaii from foreign invaders. Today, it tells the military story of Hawaii from its Polynesian beginning to the Vietnam conflict. The story that unfolds at the Army Museum details the men and the machines that protected a nation.

Diamond Head Theatre sits at the cornerstone of the Hawaiian arts scene: It is located at the foot of Diamond Head Crater and is the third oldest community theater in the U.S. The theater began in 1915 and has evolved into a true community center - a place where volunteers hone their acting chops, where the directors and set designers usher in the audience, tend to the gardens and design the costumes. To refill the local talent pool, Diamond Head offers year-round classes in dancing, acting and singing. Plus, youth can participate in an extensive summer school or a youth troupe called Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars. Known as the Broadway of the Pacific, Diamond Head brings classic tales to the stage, like "The King and I "and "Little Women, The Broadway Musical". Comedic turns are plentiful with perfomances like "I Hate Hamlet," "Altar Boyz" and "Hairspray."