The city will install pedestrian countdown signals at 525 crosswalks islandwide over the next five years, under a $2 million-plus safety program announced by Mayor Mufi Hannemann last night.

Hannemann said about 105 signals will be updated every year through 2012. The new signals will cost about $4,000 per intersection.

The signals flash large, lighted numbers that count down the seconds that pedestrians have to cross a street safely. Hannemann said many seniors have requested that the signals be installed, especially at busy intersections.

"Improving pedestrian safety throughout O'ahu is a major area of concern," Hannemann said at a meeting outlining city initiatives for Kalihi-area improvements.

The pilot projects include installing an illuminated crosswalk in front of the Kalihi-Palama Post Office.

"If it works well here, we plan to take that countywide," Hannemann said.

The plans got rave reviews from Kalihi residents and business owners at the summit, held at the Farrington High School auditorium.

Jo-Anne Breceno, who has lived in Kalihi for decades, said pedestrian safety is one of her biggest concerns.

Many people in the community walk, she said, but many crosswalks are unsafe.

"On Kalihi Street, people speed. I've seen people (pedestrians) nearly get hit on that street," Breceno said.

Glenn Ida, a lobbyist for the Teamsters and a city bus driver, said the city also needs to spend more money improving Kalihi streets. "You got to invest the money," he said. "You start small and keep going until it's done."

The projects come as the city is also working to improve pedestrian safety across urban Honolulu. Earlier this year, city crews started repainting crosswalks and replacing standard pedestrian signs with high-visibility fluorescent ones in Kalihi, Waikiki and Downtown.

The efforts are in response to a spate of pedestrian accidents this year. Already in 2007, 11 pedestrians have died on O'ahu, compared with 20 pedestrian deaths in all of 2006.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.