03-23-2026
Banyan Tree Drive
Located within the Hilo Region on Big Island
Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
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Big Island of Hawaii Scenic Drive
Banyan Tree Drive
Banyan Tree Drive is composed of a canopy of banyan trees outlining the Waiakea Peninsula. The Hilo Parks commission began lining the entire drive with banyan trees in 1933, most have plaques denoting which celebrity planted them and when.
You will see names like Amelia Earhart, F.D.R., and Sen. Richard Nixon (whose tree died and had to be replanted). Banyan Drive is also the location for most of Hilo's hotels and the former Naniloa Golf Course.
Please exercise caution when walking beneath the banyan trees, as falling branches have caused serious injuries in recent years. Several trees along Banyan Drive have been removed due to safety concerns.
The peninsula features hotels lining the ocean and a golf course in the center. Walking, jogging, and biking is enjoyable to view the banyan trees. It is within walking distance to Liliuokalani Gardens and Coconut Island.
The town of Hilo is located just north of the Hilo Airport. From the airport, turn right on Highway 11 which ends at Banyan Drive.
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Published by: John C. Derrick
Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
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Banyan Tree Drive
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