City crews will install brighter street lights along a particularly dangerous stretch of North King Street in Kalihi, after three pedestrians were struck and killed by vehicles there in recent months, officials said.

Five LED street lights will go up on King Street near Gulick Avenue and Richard Lane, to help illuminate that area in the early morning hours when pedestrians — many of them elderly — cross the street.

Late last month a 55-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a city bus in Kalihi.  His death followed two other early morning fatal collisions on the same stretch of King, both in February. On Feb. 26, a 71-year-old woman died after she was hit by a garbage truck and on Feb. 4, a 67-year-old woman died after she was struck by a pickup driver.  All three victims had been in marked crosswalk areas when they were hit.

While the investigations into those fatal accidents are not complete, city leaders said they see the LED lights as an interim solution to address growing community complaints. 

“People didn’t feel safe, getting up early and going out,” Department of Transportation Services Director Mike Formy said on Monday. Once the lights are installed, officials will see how well they work, he added.