With No Pedestrian Deaths Recorded This Month, There’s Still Hope December’s Goal Will Be Met

Unless we’ve missed it, Oahu has recorded no pedestrian deaths in December following a rash of fatalities in October and November, including three in just over a week late last month. One of those was a hit-and-run; the driver has not been caught.

December’s good record is not to say there have been no fatalities among people hit by vehicles. A farm worker was killed two weeks ago when struck by a truck at Aloun Farms. His death was as regrettable as any other, but it’s doubtful it will be recorded as a “pedestrian death” since it occurred on private property and not in a street or crosswalk.

A motorist ran down a bicyclist last night in a hit-and-run on Kamehameha Highway near Wheeler Army Airfield. Zachary Manago, 18, was riding with lights on the shoulder with other cyclists when struck from behind by a white sport utility vehicle that sped from the scene. The victim had just graduated from high school and was a freshman at Hawaii Pacific University on a full-ride baseball scholarship.

The 2010 pedestrian death total stands at 19 and hasn’t moved since November 27. That’s nearly double 2009’s total of 10.

Yes2Rail optimistically suggested a goal of no pedestrian deaths on Oahu in December. We might just achieve it if motorists practice pedestrian awareness the next two weeks, especially during our long winter nights.

Out there somewhere on Oahu are two hit-and-run drivers who've killed two people within the past few weeks. Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding them. See the comment below.