National Crime Victims’ Rights Week kicked off early in Hawaii, with the first event on Saturday, April 9th, leading into successful events across the state.

Saturday’s ceremony featured the Kauai County Building being lit up with purple lights in honor of the important week. The lighting was accompanied by a proclamation by the Kauai County Council officially naming April 10-16 Crime Victims’ Rights Week. 

Following Kauai, Mayor Kirk Caldwell proclaimed April 10-16 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Honolulu and the Honolulu Hale was also lit in purple.

In Maui, the Kalana O Maui building illuminated purple Tuesday during a commemoration ceremony and Mayor Alan Arakawa also affirmed April 10-16 as Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

While victims, advocates, and officials have gathered at events, Marsy’s Law for Hawaii has continued to make its’ way through the Legislature. Having passed through the Senate and House, the bill is now headed into a conference committee.

Urging legislators to keep up their momentum in working to get Marsy’s Law passed, supporters of the law met again Wednesday for a rally at the Capital Rotunda. Attorney General Doug Chin and survivor and author, Mary Spears both spoke to those who were gathered while Miss Hawaii 2015, Jeanné Kapela, appeared with a performance by a dance troupe. Afterward, supporters presented legislators with small plants giving thanks for their efforts on Marsy’s Law for Hawaii.

Said Prosecuting Attorney and Marsy’s Law for Hawaii supporter Justin Kollar, “Hawaii is one of only 18 states to not enshrine the rights of crime victims in its State Constitution; we hope that changes this year.”