Every day for the past 10 years, William Kobashigawa would wake up early and go for a walk in his Kane'ohe neighborhood. He took the same route and would be diverted only if he needed something from Star Market.

Yesterday morning, as he crossed Kamehameha Highway to get to the store, Kobashigawa, 89, was hit by a pickup truck and killed. Police said Kobashi-gawa was in a crosswalk when he was hit about 5:45 a.m.

He was a medic during World War II with the famed 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and received a Bronze Star among other medals.

Last night, family members were still in shock as they gathered at Kobashigawa's home.

"It was very tragic for all of us because it's something that you don't expect, that phone call early in the morning," said Gail Pei, the third of six children. "My mother is not doing very well."

Pei said she and other family members rushed to Castle Medical Center as soon as they heard of the accident, but her father had already been pronounced dead.

"When we got to the hospital, we did not have time to say our goodbyes," Pei said.

Kobashigawa was well-known in Kane'ohe by other walkers and Star Market employees, Pei said. She said it was another elderly walker who went into the store to tell them she believed it was Kobashigawa who was just struck by a truck.

Although he was 89, Kobashi-gawa was said to be in good health. Each day, he did yard work and collected bottles and cans.

He also knew the dangers of walking along Kane'ohe's streets.

"We were born and raised in Kane'ohe and we've seen the community grow and we always talk to him about how drivers today, you really have to be careful and make sure you make eye contact," Pei said. "But at that time of the morning I don't see how you can make eye contact with the driver."

Police said the driver of the white 1999 Ford pickup truck was a 26-year-old Kane'ohe man. The truck was headed north on Kamehameha Highway when it ran into Kobashigawa, who was in the middle of the crosswalk, police said.

Police opened a negligent homicide investigation, which is standard when there is a fatality, but there were no arrests as of last night. Police said speed may have been a factor in the incident.

Pei said her father received many medals for his service in World War II, including a Purple Heart after being shot in Italy. Kobashigawa also received a Bronze Star, according to "Remembrances," published by the 100th Infantry Battalion Publication Committee.

Pei said her father kept the Purple Heart in a shoebox and that he enjoyed telling war stories to his children and grandchildren.

"All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren are here and they're all taking it pretty hard," she said. "He was old, but he was very funny with them. He was the joking grandpa."

Pei said a brother in Hilo and sister in Las Vegas will fly to O'ahu over the next two days to plan their father's funeral.

"This year we're not having Christmas because on Christmas Eve we have that meeting," she said.

Kobashigawa is survived by his wife, Margaret; six children; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.