Events don't get any more special than the colorful Merrie Monarch Festival, which takes place each year in Hilo right after Easter Sunday. Get your tickets early. The week-long festival, dedicated to the memory of King David Kalakaua who revived the missionary-opposed hula dance during his reign, continues its important mission today to... "perpetuate, preserve and promote the art of hula and the Hawaiian culture." If you time it right, you'll see the world's best hula halau (schools) perform authentic Hula Kahiko and Hula 'Auana during your stay in lovely Hilo. What beautiful and inspirational memories you'll take home with you from the Big Island.