Two people were struck in crosswalks yesterday along Beretania Street, adding to the rising number of pedestrian-related accidents this year that have fueled concerns about safety.

A woman in her 60s was in critical condition yesterday after being struck by a 2003 Kia Sorento at the busy intersection of Pi'ikoi and Beretania streets.

Several hours later, another pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Beretania Street near Punchbowl Street. The victim, who was not identified, did not need assistance from paramedics.

"It's getting crazy and it's getting to the point where too many people are getting hit," said Sam Mitchell, a 49-year-old submarine mechanic who lives on Kina'u Street. "We know it's not everybody, that it's only a few drivers. ... Nobody pays attention to this stuff until people get killed."

Yesterday's pedestrian accidents were among five in the past six days.

On Saturday a 12-year-old boy was thrown 20 feet after being hit by a car on Kahala Avenue. On Tuesday a 48-year-old woman was clipped by a car near the merge of H-1 and H-2 freeways. And a 61-year-old woman was struck while crossing Ward Avenue near Lunalilo.

Seven pedestrians have died this year, compared with two during the same period in 2006.

"Both drivers and pedestrians have to be aware of their surroundings," said Lt. Darren Izumo of the Honolulu Police Department's vehicular homicide section. "You have to expect the unexpected."

Police said the woman was crossing Beretania Street in the mauka direction at 9:34 a.m. yesterday when she was struck by the light-blue sport utility vehicle making a left turn from Pi'ikoi onto Beretania.

Police said the victim was in the crosswalk when she was hit.

A magazine, pair of sunglasses and a black umbrella were strewn in the intersection as police investigated the accident. The section of Beretania Street between Victoria and Ke'eaumoku streets was closed from about 9:45 a.m. to a little after 1 p.m.

The woman, who was not identified, was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, said Bryan Cheplic, Emergency Medical Services spokesman.

The driver, a 63-year-old Honolulu woman, was uninjured, police said. Alcohol, drugs or speeding do not appear to be factors, police said.

Residents say this is a heavily used intersection with many pedestrians and vehicles. There are apartment buildings, restaurants, businesses and an elementary school in the area, and Pi'ikoi Street feeds to H-1 on-ramps.

"This place is terrible," said Tamra Ramiro, 33, a teller at Hawaii National Bank, on the corner of Beretania and Pi'ikoi. "I try not to cross (that intersection). It's too dangerous."

Marshall Miyose, a registered representative for Transamerica Financial Advisors, has been working in the Makiki area for about 20 years. He said cars block the intersection regularly and some make illegal left turns from Pi'ikoi to Beretania from nonturning lanes.

He avoids crossing that intersection on his commute home to Kane'ohe.

"It's dangerous," he said. "But what can you do to make it safer? I don't know."

Teachers at Ka'ahumanu Elementary School on Kina'u Street remind their students regularly about pedestrian safety, said vice principal Maureen Dunn.

The school employs two crossing guards before and after school. One is stationed at the corner of Pensacola and Kina'u streets; the other is at Pi'ikoi and Kina'u. There are no crossing guards along Beretania Street because the school only has money for two.

"We encourage the students to always walk and not race across the crosswalk," Dunn said. "We tell them to be cautious. Even though (the sign) says walk, they should always look for cars coming."

John Steelquist, chairman of the Makiki/Lower Punchbowl /Tantalus Neighborhood Board, said he has received complaints from residents about that intersection.

"It's a busy street with a lot of pedestrian and vehicle traffic," he said. "Everybody needs to be kinder to each other."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.