Eighty-eight-year-old Martha Miura, who was killed in a pedestrian crash Thursday morning in Liliha, was remembered as "always smiling" and a regular volunteer at a Buddhist temple in Makiki.
She would show up before 6 a.m. every Saturday to clean the "nokotsudo," or columbarium, and change the flowers and the water in the vases, said the Rev. Yubun Narashiba, the minister at Jodo Mission of Hawaii on Makiki Street. She would also attend Sunday services.
"She’s very understanding and friendly and always smiling," Narashiba said. "A very nice person."
Miura was the 14th pedestrian killed on Oahu’s streets this year, placing the island on track to surpass all of last year’s 17 pedestrian fatalities. With more than four months to go this year, the 44 traffic fatalities so far are also on pace to eclipse last year’s 52 deaths.
"We’re moving in unfortunately at an alarming rate," said Maj. Kurt Kendro of the Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division.
To cross the street safely, pedestrians should face the direction of traffic after looking both ways, then maintain eye contact with drivers as they slow to a stop in every lane being crossed, he said. He urged pedestrians not to cross the street while using a cellphone or texting and to use crosswalks.
Miura was not in a crosswalk, although there was a signalized crosswalk about 200 feet away.
Miura was hit while crossing Kuakini Street in front of Kuakini Medical Center just before 6 a.m. Thursday. The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office identified her as the victim.
Police said a 63-year-old woman driving a Honda Civic west on Kuakini Street hit Miura, who sustained head and internal injuries and died at the Queen’s Medical Center. A third-degree negligent homicide investigation has been opened.
Kendro said because of the long weekend, police will be doing extra enforcement of pedestrian, impaired-driver, seat belt and mobile electronic device laws. Today is Statehood Day.
Narashiba, Miura’s minister, said when he heard about her accident, his mind went blank.
"I really felt sad," he said. "Now I really miss her."
