Sadly, during the first week of the new year, Oahu marked 2019’s first pedestrian death. A 86-year-old man died after being struck by a car on Hawaii Kai Drive on Monday evening. In this case, the accident occurred in the vicinity of a crosswalk that had been mistakenly removed in May. Honolulu Hale should redouble efforts to re-install it — complete with ample signage and a “gateway in-street treatment” lining the crossing with 3-foot delineators that motorists drive between.

In 2018 — for the first time in at least 15 years — the statewide count of pedestrians killed in crashes (43) was higher than that for occupants of vehicles who died in accidents (38).

Amid shutdown, banks lend a hand

As the federal government shutdown nears the end of its third week, the border-wall impasse between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats only widened with a failed meeting Wednesday.

That leaves some 800,000 federal workers still furloughed or working without an immediate paycheck; in Hawaii, about 2,700 workers are affected. With anxieties rising, especially among those living close to the financial bone, it’s good to see many of Hawaii’s banks stepping up to ease some pressure. From loan extensions to allowing deferred payments, major banks here are offering a range of supportive measures.

Affected federal workers should contact their banks directly.