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    Banyan Drive

    4.2 (20 reviews)

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    Banyan Drive (from http://www.hawaiiweb.com)
    Andrea V.

    If you're staying at a hotel in Hilo, there's a pretty decent chance that you're already on Banyan Drive. If not, it's still not very far. An easy and relaxing walk under these shady trees awaits you. There are about 50 trees lining Banyan Drive, and if you look closely, you can see the wooden signs in front of them, indicating who they were planted by (or in honor of). In 1933, 8 Banyan trees were planted by celebrities, including Mr. and Mrs. Cecil DeMille (as in "I'm ready for my close-up") and Babe Ruth. Other notables who planted trees in future years include Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard & Pat Nixon, Amelia Earhart, and many other important individuals, including religious leaders and politicians both from Hawaii and around the world. You may not recognize every name on the trees, but when you keep in mind that some of these trees were planted over 70 years ago, it starts to make sense. Even if you don't get a chance to walk through them, there's a pretty good chance that a trip to Hilo will involve a drive down Banyan Drive, so enjoy the shade and incredible beauty of these trees.

    Rhonda W.

    hilo banyon tree drive ... very late posting pics for this .. like Hilo cute historic town, surfers, decent restaurants .. fun to look around.

    Donna B.

    Beautiful long street to take a stroll down to get to the beach. But don't just walk- enjoy. Take notice of the the plaques at the foot of each tree. Some names I wasn't familiar with and others quite surprising- famous movie directors and sports figures and the dates the trees were planted. Surprising these trees planted in early 1930's survived the tsunami in 1960. The enormous thick trees provide a great shady lane on a steamy humid Hawaiian day, but the ice cream still melts fast. Bookmark this spot for a picturesque walk

    Jennifer L.

    Unless you're a tree fanatic, don't go out of your way to come here. But if you happen to be in the area, it's a fun little drive down this street to see probably the biggest and most beautiful banyan trees you've ever seen. They are truly gorgeous. They're amazing to me, and i could stare at these trees for hours!! They're H-U-G-E!! As a cool little extra, there's a sign in front of some of them for either who they're in honor of, or apparently who planted them. Kinda neat.

    Lindsay D.

    This was the best part of our visit to Hilo, which is otherwise sort of a strange and rundown area. I have been many places in the world, but I have never seen such amazing, unique, and HUGE trees. If you're near Hilo, definitely make a detour to Banyan Tree Drive.

    Entrance To Banyan Drive

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    13 years ago

    Awesome place for short run due to shade & ocean breeze.

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    Review Highlights - Banyan Drive

    The Banyan Tree Drive is about a 10 minute stop if you want to get out and walk or you can just drive straight through.

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    Big Island Candies - Snack bar.

    Big Island Candies

    4.6(677 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Make sure to check this place out if you're in the area! We stopped by around 8:30 AM and honestly…read moreweren't even sure it was open at first--the building looks pretty dark from the outside because of the tint. But as soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the wonderful staff, and the whole vibe completely changed. Inside, the space is bright, inviting, and thoughtfully set up. We were offered samples of their Kona coffee along with a couple of treats of the day, which was such a nice touch. As you walk around, you can actually watch them making their delicious goodies, which makes the experience even more fun and tempting. The shop was beautifully decorated for the upcoming Easter holiday, and they also had some really lovely gift boxes--perfect if you're looking to bring something home for family or friends. There's also a small area where you can grab drinks (and possibly ice cream too). I ordered a green tea latte, and it was absolutely wonderful. Overall, such a cozy, welcoming spot with great treats and friendly service. Definitely worth stopping by--whether you're craving something sweet or looking to pick up a thoughtful gift!

    I was quite impressed with the operation they have going at Big Island Candies…read more This place is incredible! They offer a large variety of candies that are made right there in the store. You can watch the hard workers diligently making fresh and delicious candies! The store is full of different types of candies wrapped nicely that make the perfect gift.

    Photos
    Big Island Candies - Interior.

    Interior.

    Big Island Candies
    Big Island Candies

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    Puna Chocolate Company - Chocotini and old fashion

    Puna Chocolate Company

    4.5(125 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Puna Chocolate Company is one of my favorite local chocolate artisan shops, conveniently located in…read moreDowntown Hilo. Since my time away, they have beautifully renovated the interior to have a sit-down booth area. I love the abundance of nene decor honoring our state bird, along with high quality chocolates made in Hawaii. The store clerk was very knowledgeable and described how each cultivars of chocolate differ in their taste profiles. We had the horchata 50% milk chocolate bar, and I don't have a picture because we devoured it in one sitting! Overall, Puna Chocolate Co. is an elegant, delightful, and elevated experience that rivals big names like Big Island Candies and Dandelion Chocolates in San Francisco. Highly recommend in stopping by!

    I stopped by Puna Chocolate Company for an afternoon coffee and ordered an espresso. It wasn't…read moreterribly busy in the store so my drink was prepared in minutes. The espresso was strong, not overwhelmingly bitter, and had a good consistency to it. While sitting at the bar, I noticed that they had a Day Drink menu with a bunch of coffee and chocolate cocktails, including an espresso martini and a cacao old fashioned. For $14 and $13 respectively, these seemed like very reasonable prices. Definitely something I'll check out on my next visit. On the right side of the store is a gift shop, while the left side has a bunch of seating for patrons. I noticed there were a few people here with their laptops out, so I can only assume it's also a good place to work as well. The store seemed pretty quiet, street parking outside was easy, and the staff I interacted with here was friendly. Puna Chocolate Company is a good rest spot to stop by to escape from the busyness of Downtown Hilo.

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    Puna Chocolate Company - Entry to Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

    Entry to Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

    Puna Chocolate Company - Inside Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

    Inside Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

    Puna Chocolate Company - Storefront for Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

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    Storefront for Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe

    Hilo Food Tours

    Hilo Food Tours

    5.0(1 review)
    1.3 mi

    Although we only had a few days to spend in Hawai'i, and a lot of activities to experience, we were…read moreexcited about trying out the variety of food available in Hilo. Thankfully, Pono and the Hilo Food Tours delivered. It was a treat to hear about the food we sampled through the lens of Hawaiian history. I would recommend Hilo Food Tours to anyone interested in sampling some great flavors. We hope to come back some time for the cocktail tour too!

    From the owner: Hilo Food Tours is an experience, a walking culinary and historical journey which we make together…read morethrough Hilo town. These tasty dishes have become a part of the food landscape of Hawaii and are enjoyed by everyone. Our customers will experience the history and culture of Hawaii through their taste buds, leaving them with an appreciation for a place known for its beauty and mystery. This is what makes Hawaii unique and this is what we want you, our customers, to experience. Our 2 hour walking tour takes place in our quaint town of Hilo. We will tour five different eateries throughout Hilo town and sample the wonderful flavors each offers in their dishes. As we walk her streets you will learn the history and background of the area and be taken away to another time and place. A place rich in diversity that makes Hilo unique. You will experience each individual culture through your taste buds, savoring the richness and unique spices used in every dish.

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    Hilo Food Tours
    Hilo Food Tours
    Hilo Food Tours

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    Banyan Drive - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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