Southbound Lane Closed for Removal of Unstable Banyan Tree on Banyan Drive

County crews have closed the southbound lane of Banyan Drive between Banyan Way and Kamehameha Avenue to remove a single banyan tree judged structurally unstable by a certified arborist. The weekday closure runs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, to allow contractor work that the county announced would begin in late January and is tentatively scheduled to finish by Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

The action follows a recent assessment of 48 banyan trees along Banyan Drive in Hilo. County officials say only one tree was identified for removal after the arborist found structural defects and a recent canopy failure that "creates a significant public safety hazard." The county also reported that "the tree has lost about 20% of its crown" and warned that "any additional failure could occur over the roadway."

The removal contract applies only to this single banyan tree, and county leaders have a separate contract out to bid for maintenance of other Banyan Drive trees. That broader scope is set to address invasive species, aerial roots, and deadwood, according to county statements. County-provided photos accompanying the announcement were credited to the Office of Hawaiʻi County Mayor.

Officials framed the removal as a safety-driven, targeted response rather than part of a large-scale removal program. Mayor Kimo Alameda said, "This emergency action is part of our efforts to protect public safety and ensure that this iconic part of Hilo gets the care and attention it deserves." The mayor’s statement ties the county response to heightened concern after a fatal tree collapse on Kilauea Avenue in July, when two women died after a large banyan fell; that fallen tree was on state land.

For local motorists and visitors, the closure narrows traffic flow on one of Hilo’s most trafficked scenic stretches during daytime hours on weekdays. The county has limited the work window to allow contractor crews to operate safely while minimizing overnight disruptions, but drivers should expect delays and plan alternate routes during the closure hours. Businesses and residents along Banyan Drive should anticipate noise and equipment staging in the work zone while removal is underway.

The county says the current contract covers only the identified tree; more comprehensive maintenance of the avenue’s banyans will follow through the bid process now under way. For Hilo, the removal is a focused public-safety measure that underscores a larger, ongoing assessment of the drive’s century-old canopy; residents can expect further announcements as the county advances inspection, maintenance, and bidding steps in the weeks ahead.