Hawaii Unveils New Master Plans For Pedestrians

HONOLULU -- A pedestrian fatality happened on Oahu early Wednesday morning, just hours before the state released a plan designed to decrease pedestrian injuries and deaths. On parts of Liliha street, pedestrians are painfully aware of just how dangerous crossing the street can be. "This street is pretty bad, everybody is rushing, everybody wants to get home," said Kalihi resident Melina Perez. Liliha Street is just one of 13 sites singled out around Oahu where there is not only a lot of pedestrian activity but also accidents involving those in crosswalk -- of the last ten pedestrian accidents, all were in crosswalks. "You are taking a risk just crossing the street," said Kalihi resident Rizalina Barino. Liliha Street is not alone, all told there were 31 areas of concern identified in the statewide pedestrian master plan. To remedy the problems some potential solutions have been proposed, which were based on community input. Those include adding LED beacons near crosswalks or putting up additional signs so drivers and pedestrians are more aware of the danger. "I think a traffic light might be much safer because you would have the signal," said Barino. In the master plan, State Department of Transportation officials plan to make modifications to sidewalks to make them safer, add additional timing signals, and plan for pedestrian access in new projects. But those changes will come in the future, for now the state wants those walking along busy roads to make sure they are seen by drivers, especially at night. And some residents, who live next to those dangerous zones, said that may be the best preventive measure. "What could be done? More awareness, there has been a lot of campaigning over here which I think is good," added Perez. The state wants to know what you think about the plan to make Hawaii's roads more pedestrian friendly and safer. Comments on the proposal will be taken for the next five weeks. The deadline to make your voice heard is Sept. 30th.