The Honolulu Zoo features more than 1,230 animals in a 300-acre setting that comes from royal beginnings. The zoo was established by grants made by the sovereign monarch of King David Kalakaua. In 1877, the land in the area was beautified and opened as Queen Kapiolani Park in honor of Julia Kapiolani, Queen Consort of Hawaii.
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."
The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park offers visitors a fascinating look at the history of submarines, from the first attempt in 1776 to current technological feats of today's nuclear submarines. The USS Bowfin Museum allows visitors to go below deck aboard the National Historic Landmark, which was launched after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942. The World War II submarine went on to sink 44 enemy ships during her nine war patrols.