Sadly, it took a spike in pedestrian deaths in 2005 and earlier this year to put the issue front and center — politically and socially. As a result, Senate Bill 1191, which recently became law, will provide $3 million in much-needed highway and road improvements geared toward protecting pedestrians.

The public safety issue has rightly gained attention at the city level as well. In Kalihi, as part of the city's efforts to revitalize the community, plans are already under way to launch a pilot program by installing an illuminated crosswalk in front of the Kalihi-Palama post office. In addition, Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced that the city would update 525 signals as part of a $2 million islandwide project.

All of these efforts are promising. But pedestrian safety was not always a priority — and because of this, there is much work to do. That's why it's inspiring to see communities pulling together to become part of the solution.

As yesterday's article by Advertiser writer Mary Vorsino revealed, residents from several areas have joined forces to pinpoint roads that pose a daily danger to children just trying to get to school.

It took the work of many volunteers to identify the trouble spots — in Kalihi, McCully, Wai'anae and the North Shore. Many have spent months walking blocks to survey their areas and some are putting together reports and recommendations for city officials next month.

As Therese Argoud, walkable communities coordinator for the state Health Department wisely points out, the benefits of fixing these roads go beyond pedestrian safety. "We have to make it encouraging for more kids to walk to schools, especially given the rise in child obesity. You also cut down on all the congestion created when parents are driving their kids to school. Overall, it helps the community on so many levels."

It's this kind of grass-roots effort that fuels the political will for change. Parents should be able to send their children off to school without worrying about whether they'll get there safely.

That's something everyone — from the streets of Kalihi to Honolulu Hale to the Capitol — should make possible.