Children’s Justice Centers across the state will be “planting” pinwheels  

Honolulu, HI- The Children’s Justice Centers (CJC) of Maui, Kauai, West Hawaii, East Hawaii and Oahu will be “planting” pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in conjunction with Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii and the Hawaii State Department of Health. The pinwheels serve as a reminder that child abuse and neglect is happening in our community and represents hope, healing and justice for children.

The CJC Centers are programs of the Hawaii State Judiciary.  The program brings together a multidisciplinary team of professionals who coordinate their activities and investigations of child abuse and neglect.  The CJCs provide a warm, homelike setting where children can feel as comfortable and safe as possible while being interviewed about reports of child abuse, sexual abuse, and as witnesses to crimes.

Last year, more than 1,100 victims of child abuse, including serious physical abuse and sexual abuse, or those who witnessed a crime were served at one of the five CJCs of Hawaii.  Since 1988, when the first CJC opened, more than 30,000 children have been served in Hawaii. 

CJC staff and partners along with community volunteers will be “planting” pinwheels at the following times and locations.  Staff and community partners will also be on-hand to answer any questions you may have:

• Maui CJC

Monday, April 7, 2014 at 9 a.m. in front of the County Building on High Street,  Wailuku 96793

Sponsored by the Hawaii State Department of Health, Ho’oikaika Partnership, Maui County, and the Friends of CJC- Maui

• Kauai CJC

Friday, April 4, 2014 (today) at 3:30p.m.

4473 Pahe’e Street, Suite M, Lihue, 96766

Sponsored by Hawaii State Department of Health, Friends of CJC-Kauai and the CJC-Kauai

• West Hawaii CJC

Monday, April 14, 2014 at 11a.m.

77-6403 Nalani Street, Kailua-Kona, 96740

Sponsored by the Children’s Justice Center of West Hawaii and Interagency Advisory Committee

• East Hawaii CJC

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at 1290 Kino’ole Street, Hilo, 96720

Sponsored by the East Hawaii Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse, Hawaii State Department of Health, Friends of the CJC- East Hawaii and the CJC-East Hawaii

• Oahu CJC

*the pinwheels will be “planted” this weekend at 3019 Pali Highway, Honolulu, 96817 but two group photo opportunities and the reading of the Governor’s proclamation will be on Wednesday, April 9^th at 1:30p.m. and Friday, April 11^th at 8a.m.

Sponsored by Friends of the CJC Oahu and the Hawaii State Chapter of Children’s Justice Centers