Hilo Banyan Drive: Complete Guide To The Living Walk Of Fame
Discover the storied past and enduring beauty of Hawaii's Banyan Drive, where celebrity-planted banyans shape a unique island legacy.
Image: HearthJunction Design Team
Hawaii’s Banyan Drive: A Living Walk of Fame
Along the Waiakea Peninsula on the eastern side of Hawaii Island, a remarkable road curves beneath the broad, interlacing canopies of more than 50 banyan trees. This is Banyan Drive, a one-of-a-kind landmark known as the “Hilo Walk of Fame,” where movie stars, royalty, aviators, athletes, and other luminaries have left their living mark by planting banyans that today form a lush pavilion over this celebrated drive.
The Origins of Banyan Drive
Banyan Drive’s story traces back to the early 1930s, when Hilo’s community leaders envisioned a waterfront promenade that would connect Hilo’s future as a destination for both tourists and prominent visitors. The idea took root—quite literally—with the planting of banyan saplings by celebrities and dignitaries, marking the dawn of a tradition that would define this tropical thoroughfare for generations.
- Location: Waiakea Peninsula, near Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, Hilo International Airport, and Coconut Island (Moku Ola).
- Notable for its large concentration of banyan trees, many planted by world-famous figures.
- Integral part of Hilo’s tourist and cultural landscape since the 1930s.
The Art of Celebrity Planting
The unique fame of Banyan Drive stems from the many notables who have planted trees here, turning the road into a living monument to achievement and history.
Cecil B. DeMille and Hollywood’s Arrival
In October 1933, acclaimed film director Cecil B. DeMille arrived in Hilo to begin shooting the movie “Four Frightened People.” Taking inspiration from community suggestions, DeMille and his film crew inaugurated the tradition by planting the first banyan saplings along the peninsula’s then-crushed coral road. Eight trees were planted that year, several by cast members, and even the film’s stars left their names inscribed on commemorative plaques at the base of the new trees.
Presidents and Pioneers
The tradition expanded as more celebrities visited Hilo:
- Babe Ruth – The legendary baseball player planted a banyan tree in the inaugural year.
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt – His arrival in 1934 led to the construction of the drive through the young grove.
- Senator Richard Nixon – Added his tree in 1952; later supplemented in 1972 by First Lady Pat Nixon.
- Amelia Earhart, King George V, and other notables – All contributed to the growing “gallery” of celebrity-planted banyans.
A Growing Grove
| Year | Trees Planted | Notable Planters |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 8 | Cecil B. DeMille, Babe Ruth, Hollywood actors |
| 1934 | 10 | AMerican movie stars, local dignitaries |
| 1935–1938 | Varies (15 in 1935, 6 in 1936, 5 in 1937, 4 in 1938) | International celebrities, Hawaiian royalty, aviators |
| 1941, 1952, 1972 | 5 | Nixon family, local civic leaders |
| 1991 | 1 | Polly Mooney, honoring Civitan leader Courtney Shropshire |
The Botanical Wonder of the Banyan
Banyan trees (Ficus benghalensis) are renowned for their vast canopies, intricate aerial prop roots, and symbolic significance throughout Asia and the Pacific. On Banyan Drive, they form a green arcade, sheltering the street in living shade and offering an immersive ecological experience.
- Banyans are among the world’s largest and oldest trees; some can live for centuries.
- Air roots form columns, creating a forest from a single trunk.
- The trees serve as crucial habitats for birds and small wildlife.
Cultural and Environmental Impact
- Banyan Drive’s trees have survived multiple natural disasters, including devastating tsunamis in Hilo’s history.
- The drive stands as a symbol of resilience and community effort.
- Banyans are venerated in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, symbolizing immortality and shelter.
Highlights Along Banyan Drive
Encompassing more than just trees, Banyan Drive is a scenic and recreational centerpiece of Hilo, bordered by some of East Hawaii’s largest hotels and a vibrant waterfront park.
Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens
- Spanning roughly 30 acres, this Japanese-style park features pagodas, bridges, rock gardens, and teahouses.
- Named for Queen Liliʻuokalani, Hawaii’s last reigning monarch.
- Beloved by locals for walking, yoga, dog-walking, and quiet reflection.
Moku Ola (Coconut Island)
- Accessible via a footbridge from the park.
- Offers views of Hilo Bay and Mount Maunakea.
- Site of ancient Hawaiian healing rituals.
Hotels and Waterfront Landmarks
- Several major hotels line Banyan Drive, making it a hub for visitors.
- The area remains popular for joggers, bikers, and families enjoying the peaceful bayfront setting.
Resilience Through Time: Natural and Social Change
Banyan Drive has persisted through cycles of disaster and recovery. The region bore the brunt of two devastating tsunamis in 1946 and 1960, which reshaped Hilo’s coastline but left most banyan trees standing, a testament to their hardiness and the collective care of the community.
- Some trees lost to storms and tsunami have been replanted; their replacements maintain the spirit and memory of the originals.
- Local organizations and volunteers continue to steward the grove, ensuring the trees endure for future generations.
Challenges and Preservation
- In recent years, the banyans have faced threats from invasive species, such as wasps, as well as urban decline and development debates.
- Community, governmental, and nonprofit efforts are underway to revitalize and preserve the drive as both a natural and cultural asset.
Banyan Drive in Local Lore and Modern Life
The banyans of Hilo are not just botanical specimens or celebrity signatures—they are woven into the fabric of daily island life and Hawaii’s collective memory. From childhood field trips to wedding photo backdrops, the avenue is a cherished destination for residents and visitors alike.
- Banyan Drive is frequently featured in travel brochures and airline magazines, emblematic of Hilo’s gentle, historic charms.
- Each commemorative plaque tells a story, inspiring visitors to reflect on the shared legacies of global icons and local heroes.
Notable Banyan Planters: A Walk Through Fame
The banyans themselves have become stout, soaring monuments to their planters. Among the most notable figures honored along the Drive are:
- Franklin D. Roosevelt – 32nd President of the United States
- Amelia Earhart – Pioneering aviator
- Babe Ruth – Baseball legend
- Cecil B. DeMille – Vaunted film director
- Richard and Pat Nixon – U.S. President and First Lady
- King George V – British monarch
- Notable Hawaiian royalty and community leaders
Experiencing Banyan Drive Today
A drive or stroll beneath the banyans is a rite of passage for Hilo visitors and a tranquil escape for locals. Whether seeking shade during a midday walk, marveling at the architectural wonder of the banyan roots, or tracing the names on bronze plaques, every visit weaves a new chapter into the avenue’s living history.
- Popular activities: strolling, jogging, cycling, picnicking, birdwatching, photography.
- Interpretive signs and plaques provide historical context and personal stories behind each tree.
- Seasonal community events and guided walks celebrate the area’s legacy and botanical significance.
FAQs About Banyan Drive
What makes Banyan Drive unique?
Banyan Drive is unique for its “living walk of fame,” a grove of banyan trees planted by celebrities, royalty, and historic figures, each with commemorative plaques that tell a story of Hilo’s past and present.
How many banyan trees are on Banyan Drive?
There are approximately 50 banyan trees lining the drive, most of which date back to the 1930s–1950s, with several more recently replanted after storms and natural disasters.
Can visitors walk or drive along Banyan Drive?
Yes, the drive is fully accessible to both walkers and motorists. Many visitors enjoy a self-guided stroll to read the plaques and admire the variety of tree planters represented.
Are the banyan trees protected?
The trees are maintained by a partnership among state and local agencies as well as community volunteers. Preservation efforts include caring for the trees, replacing those lost to storms, and combating pests and invasive species.
What else is there to do in the Banyan Drive area?
Besides the famous trees, the neighboring Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens, nearby Coconut Island, and waterfront hotels make this an ideal spot for recreation, photography, and relaxed exploration.
Conclusion: The Enduring Spirit of Banyan Drive
Hilo’s Banyan Drive endures as a one-of-a-kind landmark, where the intersection of nature, fame, and community has created something far greater than the sum of its parts. Each tree’s roots penetrate the volcanic soil of Hawaii, each plaque weaves together the island’s past and future. For travelers, history buffs, botany enthusiasts, and locals alike, a visit to Banyan Drive is a journey through living history—shaded by stories and sheltered by the intertwined branches of legacy and aloha.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_Drive
- https://oceanblueproject.org/5-unique-facts-about-the-banyan-tree/
- https://www.gardendesign.com/tropical/hawaii-banyan-drive.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4asVvFAsEc
- https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/01/banyan-tree-wasp-infestation-highlights-urban-decay-in-hilo-waterfront/
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