A 73-year-old woman killed Tuesday in Waikiki became the fourth person age 67 or older — and the fifth pedestrian — to die this year while walking on Oahu streets.
Police said the woman was jaywalking near the Hilton Hawaiian Village at about 9:30 a.m. when she was hit by a Polynesian Adventure Tours bus, driven my a 45-year-old man, heading Diamond Head on Kalia Road.
Police said the woman sustained massive head injuries and was transported in critical condition to the Queen’s Medical Center, where she died. Authorities have not yet released her identity.
Eric Burgoyne, vice president sales and marketing at Polynesian Adventure Tours, said the company assigned an employee to help the victim’s family.
"Polynesian Adventure Tours/Gray Line Hawaii offers our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the person involved in (Tuesday) morning’s accident," Burgoyne said in an email. "Safety is the single largest priority at Polynesian Adventure Tours, and our safety team arrived on the scene immediately following the accident."
Burgoyne added that the company is cooperating with the Honolulu Police Department.
Police Maj. Kurt Kendro, commander of the Traffic Division, said pedestrians can reduce unnecessary risks by refraining from jaywalking and using crosswalks at intersections with traffic signals.
Of the pedestrians killed this year, four were using crosswalks, which underscores the importance of remaining vigilant while crossing the street, he said.
"Is it preventable? I think yes," Kendro said. "Even pedestrians have to be aware of their surroundings, even in a crosswalk."
He suggested pedestrians wear bright clothing or reflective material and maintain eye contact with drivers to make sure they are seen.
"Anything that will make you more visible will enhance your safety, especially in low-light situations," Kendro said.
Drivers also have a responsibility to remain alert on the roadway, he added.
Among the other pedestrians killed on Oahu this year were Edna Funayama, 68, struck in a crosswalk by a car driver making a left in Makiki; Clarita Ocol, 67, hit by a pickup truck while in a crosswalk on North King Street in Kalihi; and Barbara Kato, 70, run over by a garbage truck while in a crosswalk on Gulick Avenue in Kalihi.
Cherish Samson, 20, was jaywalking when a motor vehicle struck her on Kamehameha Highway in Aiea, police said.
By this time last year there were eight pedestrian fatalities on Oahu and four for the same period in 2012. This year on Oahu there have been 12 traffic deaths, down from 15 at this time last year.
