On Sunday afternoon, July 21, 2025, police on Hawai‘i Island confirmed the recovery of the bodies of two women from the wreckage of a massive banyan tree that had fallen a week earlier.
The tree, an iconic fixture, uprooted and crashed onto Kilauea Avenue, impacting a portion of nearby Calvary Chapel Hilo, situated on the west banks of the Wailoa State Recreation Area lagoon.
Efforts to extricate the bodies were carried out by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section, the Hawai‘i Fire Department, and a body removal service, who worked to navigate the complex, tangled wreckage left by the fallen tree, which collapsed on July 12.
Initial observations suggest that both victims were likely struck by limbs from the tree as it fell, with both being pronounced dead at 4:28 p.m. on Sunday.
Autopsies are scheduled for later this week to determine the exact cause of death, but police currently do not suspect foul play in this tragic incident.
The identities of the victims have not been disclosed as authorities work to confirm positive identification and notify next of kin.
Emergency personnel received a call at 9:41 a.m. on Sunday regarding the discovery of possible human remains within the debris of the fallen tree, which is located just up the street from Chiefess Kapi‘olani Elementary School, near Cafe 100, and across from Roxy’s Salon, behind Just Cruisin Coffee, not far from Hilo Burger Joint.
When firefighters arrived, they confirmed the presence of human remains but could not immediately recover them due to safety concerns surrounding the unstable wreckage.
Crews from the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works, a contracted tree trimming company, and the fire department worked diligently for several hours, cutting away large branches to access the victims.
Kīlauea Avenue was closed between Mohouli Street and Pauahi Street for several hours while debris removal and recovery efforts were underway.
The Hawai‘i Fire Department was among the first on the scene after the tree fell at approximately 3:40 p.m. on July 12.
First responders found the tree sprawled across Kīlauea Avenue and atop parts of Calvary Chapel Hilo, with one vehicle discovered underneath the fallen branches. Fortunately, the occupants had managed to escape the vehicle unharmed prior to the arrival of first responders.
Surveillance video captured the harrowing moment just seconds before the banyan tree toppled, illustrating how swiftly the event unfolded, taking mere seconds for the massive Ficus to collapse.
The extensive canopy of the tree caught and yanked down power and utility poles, causing a domino effect that led to wires snapping and falling across the roadway, blocking both sides of Kīlauea Avenue.
In total, 24 personnel from the Hawai‘i Fire Department joined forces with 13 other emergency units, which included two engines, three medic units, a battalion chief, a ladder truck, a rescue unit, a heavy rescue unit, an investigation unit, and an ambulance from American Medical Rescue.
The tragic discovery of the two women’s bodies has cast a shadow over a community that was initially relieved to hear that no one was injured in the tree’s collapse.
Many residents took to social media to express sorrow and disbelief upon learning about the victims, especially in light of the community’s earlier relief following the incident.
A thorough search of the area surrounding the fallen banyan tree had been conducted on the day of the incident, with officials confirming that Calvary Chapel Hilo had been searched and cleared.
Footage of the tree’s downfall was reviewed as part of the investigation to ensure no pedestrians or vehicles were caught beneath the crashing branches.
The Hawai‘i Fire Department also deployed a drone to conduct an aerial survey of the affected area following the incident.
After nearly two hours on the scene, fire department personnel transitioned the situation over to the police department, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Public Works, and Hawaiian Telcom.
By 5:53 p.m. on that day, the fire department’s last unit had returned to its quarters.
Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda addressed the banyan tree incident two days prior to the discovery of the women, expressing gratitude that no one had been injured and commending the efforts of emergency crews to restore services and clear Kīlauea Avenue.
In his July 18 update, Mayor Alameda mentioned that while the banyan tree belonged to the state or potentially Kamehameha Schools, public safety had to take precedence, requiring crews to restore utility lines and assess the area.
Critics on social media voiced frustration over the lack of a thorough assessment conducted immediately after the tree fell.
Comments from concerned residents suggested that there should have been a more comprehensive evaluation of the area, given the likelihood that homeless individuals often seek refuge beneath large trees like the banyan.
Some commenters expressed disbelief that the property ownership or the affiliated church did not facilitate immediate searches for possible victims beneath the fallen tree.
As discussions continued online, people voiced their wishes that the two women had not suffered and had passed quickly when the tree fell.
The community mourns the loss and contemplates what could have been done differently as they await further updates from the authorities involved in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to reach out to Detective Sybastian Keltner with the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2378 or via email.
For those preferring to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.
Contributions to this report were made by news reporter Nathan Christophel.
image source from：bigislandnow
