Randy and Scott Furukawa hope the death of their 85-year-old mother will focus attention on the safety of elderly pedestrians and elderly drivers.

Ruby Furukawa was crossing Wai'alae Avenue at Fourth Avenue in Kaimuki around 10:30 a.m. Thursday when she was hit by a 2005 Toyota Camry driven by a 90-year-old woman.

Furukawa, who was in a crosswalk when struck, suffered internal and head injuries. She was taken to The Queen's Medical Center, where she died soon afterward.

"We hope something good comes out of this," said Randy Furukawa, 56.

"This might be a way to help other folks out there," added Scott Furukawa, 50, who said his father, Masami Furukawa, 85 — Ruby Furukawa's husband of 57 years — was too overcome with grief to offer any comment yesterday.

But the family hopes the tragedy might have a silver lining.

"If it helps to raise the awareness out there about safety, then maybe something good might come of it," Randy Furukawa said.

According to the National Center for Statistics&Analysis, Hawai'i has the fourth highest pedestrian fatality rate in the U.S. — 2.65 deaths per 100,000 population. The national average is 1.67.

"We are one of the highest in the nation, for lots of reasons," said Gordon Hong, state Department of Transportation highway safety manager.

Those reasons include a higher elderly population in Hawai'i and year-round good weather encouraging them to walk frequently, he said.

A recent state Department of Health study concluded that 60 percent of pedestrian fatality victims are 65 or older.

Honolulu Police Sgt. Kevin Oshiro, with the Traffic Division's Walk Wise Hawai'i program, said elderly pedestrian fatalities in crosswalks are becoming more common. Walk Wise is a joint city and state program.

"A lot of times, the elderly are hit in crosswalks," said Oshiro, who said the program encourages older pedestrians to walk defensively. "Because they are in the crosswalk, they sometimes feel they have the right of way. Our biggest thing is explaining to them that they may be 'dead right.' "

The program advises older walkers to be alert at all times, look for oncoming vehicles before stepping into the street, wear light-colored clothing, and establish eye contact with oncoming drivers.

Police said that the driver of the car that struck Furukawa was not injured and that speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident.

Just as crucial as elderly pedestrian safety is that of older drivers.

Harvey Peltz, volunteer regional coordinator of AARP's driver safety program, said elderly drivers are reluctant to give up driving because it means a loss of independence.

"Some 90-year-olds should probably not be driving," said Peltz, 77, whose course tries to present driving alternatives to elderly citizens. "Their reaction is slower; they're not hearing or seeing as well."

Part of the AARP course points out to elderly drivers that frequent close calls, getting lost and difficulty staying in the lane are warning signs suggesting it may be time to limit their driving or give up the car keys all together.

The Legislature this year rejected a bill that would have required drivers 75 and older to pass a road test to renew their licenses.

For Ruby Furukawa, driving was never an issue. She had never been behind the wheel in her life, said her sons. She routinely took TheBus to Kaimuki to shop, one of her favorite pastimes.

The Furukawa brothers hope their mother's death will lead to the city's addressing concerns about the crosswalk where their mother was hit. They believe it's an unsafe way to cross Kaimuki's busiest street.

"To tell you the truth, I don't think there should be a crosswalk there at all," said Randy Furukawa. "It's very wide."

At the very least, Scott Furukawa said, the city ought to install a stop light at Wai'alae and Fourth.

The two men described their mother as an energetic and resilient woman — she rebounded from a bout with breast cancer in 1996 — who doted on her family, adored her three grandchildren, and enjoyed socializing.

"She really loved to shop," said Randy Furukawa, who noted the irony of the last words his father spoke to his wife as she left their home on Gardenia Street on Thursday morning:

"Watch out for cars."