Update: Kīlauea Avenue is now open after a large banyan tree, utility poles fell in South Hilo

Update at 8:20 a.m. Monday: Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo is now open.

Hawaiʻi Island Police announced that Kīlauea Avenue between Mohouli Street and Hoku Street, which was previously closed due to a down banyan tree and utility poles, is now open in both directions.

Original at 9:04 a.m. Sunday: A portion of Kīlauea Avenue in South Hilo remains closed after a large banyan tree fell across the roadway Saturday and onto a portion of a church.

According to Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency this morning, the road is closed near Just Cruisin Coffee for utility work.

Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to the downed tree on Saturday at 3:43 p.m. When crews arrived on scene, they found the tree had fallen across all lanes of Kīlauea Avenue and on a portion of the Calvary Chapel Hilo.

One vehicle was found on the roadway under branches, with occupants having exited the vehicle before first responders arrival. No injuries were reported.

Multiple utility poles and power lines were down on the roadway as a result of the fallen tree, according to a press release from the fire department. As a result, the surrounding area was searched and evacuated. Calvary Chapel, which sustained damage from tree, was searched and cleared. Bystander videos of tree falling was reviewed to account for pedestrians or other vehicles under the tree.

The Hawai‘i Fire Department drone captured aerial footage of the downed tree. The scene was then turned over to Hawai‘i Island police, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Telcom and Hawai‘i County’s Department of Public Works.