Banyan Drive is an approximately one-mile-long scenic street located on the Waiakea Peninsula of Hilo. Banyan Drive is lined with approximately fifty of the namesake trees which have survived numerous tsunamis on Hilo Bay. Banyan Drive was developed in 1933 and has become one of the more well-known attractions in the Hilo area.
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Part 1; the history of Banyan Drive
Banyan Drive circles the Waiakea Peninsula of Hilo. The peninsula can be seen just prior to the creation of Banyan Drive on the 1932 United States Geological Survey map of Hilo.
In 1933 numerous Hilo community members floated the concept for a Banyan tree-lined street which would be planted by celebrities. Banyan Drive was constructed on Waiakea Peninsula and was surfaced initially with crushed coral. The initial eight trees of Banyan Drive were planted during October 1933 and were viewed by President Franklin Roosevelt when he toured Hilo in 1934.
Over the years numerous additional trees have been planted along Banyan Drive:
1934: 10 trees
1935: 15 trees
1936: 6 trees
1937: 5 trees
1938: 4 trees
1941: 2 trees
1952: 1 tree
1972: 2 trees
1992: 1 tree (which was a replacement for one lost in a tsunami)
The trees of Banyan Drive have remained resilient despite having withstood numerous tsunamis rising out of Hilo Bay. Fifty trees still line Banyan Drive into modern times. The trees bear the names of the planting celebrities.
Part 2; a ride along Banyan Drive
Banyan Drive can be accessed from Hawaii Route 19 (Kamehameha Avenue) by turning north onto Lihiwai Street. Banyan Drive is accessible via a right-hand turn from northbound Lihiwai Street.
Banyan Drive loops Waiakea Peninsula to Hawaii Routes 11 and 19 at the intersection of Kamehameha Avenue and Kanoelehua Avenue. Banyan Drive is lined with the namesake trees and passes by notable places such as Liliuokalani Gardens.
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