UPDATE: Banyan Drive in area of Banyan Way, Reed’s Bay parking lot open again

Update at 8:09 a.m. Feb. 6, 2026: Hawai‘i Police Department reports that Banyan Drive is again open to all traffic after being closed for several hours since late last night (Feb. 5) because of what police called a “structurally compromised” banyan tree.

Social media accounts showed the tree on fire — in the area of Banyan Way and Reeds Bay parking lot — on fire in a video posted just before 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Another video posted right at about 9:30 p.m. showed Big Island firefighters already at the scene and the blaze under control and eventually extinguished.

Authorities have not officially confirmed why the tree was “structurally compromised” and a cause for safety concerns.

Hawai‘i Police Department thanks the public for its cooperation.

Story originally published at 10:54 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026: Hawai‘i Police Department advises the public to avoid Banyan Drive near Banyan Way and the Reeds Bay parking lot because of a structurally compromised banyan tree causing safety concerns.

Authorities ask people to stay away from that section of Banyan Drive for the next 6 hours. Use alternate routes.

At least one video shared on social media just before 9:30 p.m. tonight (Feb. 5) shows that the banyan tree in question was previously on fire.

Another video shared on Facebook at about 9:30 p.m. shows firefighters at the scene, with the post saying the blaze was extinguished.

No further official information has yet been released by police or Hawai‘i Fire Department officials.