With hundreds of children returning to school in the coming weeks — some of them today — the Honolulu Police Department is warning motorists to be cautious when entering school zones.

The death of a Kapolei Middle School student in April has police advising extra caution by both pedestrians and drivers.

"It boils down to each individual driver. We just hope they drive as if it were their child was the one crossing the street," Sgt. Kevin Oshiro said.

Nathan Ackerman, 15, apparently was on his way to school and was crossing the street to get to a bus stop when he was hit by a pickup truck, Oshiro said.

"We ended off on a really bad note last year, and we don't want that to happen again," he said.

Nearly half of all public schools — 42 schools this week and 95 schools next week — will be back in session by the end of July, according to the state Department of Education. There will be another push for safety by the end of August, when classes will resume at the remaining 117 public schools, along with private schools and the University of Hawai'i.

Among the 11 schools opening today are 'Aiea Intermediate, 'Ewa Elementary, Honowai Elementary, Kapolei High School and Pearl Harbor Kai.

Stan Tamashiro, principal of 'Ewa Elementary, said that the normal precautions for the start of school will be in place: a crossing guard in front of the school and a squad of at least a dozen junior police officers to direct students. Teachers will discuss safety precautions and general safety rules with students, Tamashiro said.

"We don't expect to be doing anything out of the ordinary, but teachers will talk to the children about safety," he said.

The police department spent the summer educating pedestrians and motorists with its WalkWise campaign and disseminating safety information through school summer programs, Oshiro said.

A new pedestrian crosswalk law, which requires drivers to stop while a pedestrian is crossing on their half of the road, should help make the streets safer, he said.

Today, police will monitor hot spots and enforce school-zone laws, and will continue to do so as schools go back into session, Oshiro said.

Speed limits in school zones generally are 20 mph but may vary. Fines are $250, which generally is higher than for ordinary speeding violations, according to police.

"With the hurried schedules that will undoubtedly go along with the first day and week of school, constant reminders wouldn't hurt," Oshiro said.