Honolulu police plan to increase enforcement on roadways in the wake of two separate pedestrian fatalities that occurred within minutes of one another Tuesday night.

The crashes occurred in Kapolei and Honolulu, bringing the total number of pedestrian deaths to 19 on Oahu and 28 statewide so far this year.

These are “totally avoidable tragedies that are happening at an astronomical pace on our roadways,” said Capt. Ben Moszkowicz of the police department’s Traffic Division.

Moszkowicz said the department likely will increase enforcement to remind the public to abide by traffic laws.

State and city transportation officials also have been regularly working together to discuss ways to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths.

“We have taken a unified approach,” said Jon Nouchi, deputy director of the city Department of Transportation Services, adding he regularly communicates with the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

From Jan. 1 to Tuesday, a total of 86 traffic-related fatalities occurred statewide, 28 of which were pedestrian fatalities.

The startling figure is a sharp increase from four pedestrian deaths that occurred in Hawaii during the same period last year.

Of the 28 pedestrian deaths, 25 occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to Tim Sakahara, spokesman of the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

On Oahu alone, there have been 49 traffic-related fatalities so far this year, including the 19 pedestrian deaths. Thirty-two traffic-related fatalities occurred at the same time last year, three of which were pedestrian deaths.

The first of two fatal pedestrian crashes Tuesday night occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on the westbound lanes of Farrington Highway near Walmart in Kapolei.

Moszkowicz said a 55-year-old woman, later identified by the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office as Lusiana K. Vallejos of Kapolei, was walking southbound across the highway when she was struck by a white 2005 Chevy Colorado operated by a 67-year-old Kapolei woman traveling west on the highway.

The collision occurred approximately 800 feet east of Fort Barrette Road.

Vallejos was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. Neither speed nor alcohol on the part of the driver were factors.

Moszkowicz said Vallejos was likely distracted when she walked across the highway. She was not in a crosswalk at the time of the crash.

A 65-year-old resident walking on the sidewalk near the Kapolei Walmart on Wednesday declined to give his name but said a lot of people jaywalk across the seven-lane highway.

As proof, he pointed out two people jaywalking across the highway toward Walmart from a nearby bus stop.

“There are constantly people coming out of Walmart, running across the street,” he said.

“Because it is a wide street, anybody who does that is just taking a risk, especially at night,” the Kapolei Knolls resident said of the area where the fatal crash occurred.

Within minutes of the Kapolei crash Tuesday night, police responded to another pedestrian crash, this one near Thomas Square in Honolulu at approximately 7:35 p.m.

Police said a blue 1995 Chevy Tahoe operated by a 37-year-old Honolulu woman was making a right turn onto Young Street from the parking garage of the Medical Arts Building at 1010 South King St. when her vehicle struck a man on foot.

Moszkowicz said it is unclear at this time whether the man was already on the ground or walking at the time of the crash.

Emergency Medical Services treated and transported him in critical condition to a nearby trauma hospital where he later died.

Positive identification is pending.

Moszkowicz said neither speed nor alcohol were involved on the part of the driver.

Sakahara said its important not only for drivers to be alert — especially during night hours — it’s vital for pedestrians to be attentive.

Even if the pedestrian has the right of way, they shouldn’t assume the vehicle will stop, he added. “They need to look left and right all the time.”

“We need the public’s help in this, to obey the traffic laws and watch out for one another,” Sakahara said. “Our neighbors, friends and community members are the ones who are being impacted by these rising fatality numbers.”