Kauai Marks Child Abuse Prevention Month with Blue Pinwheel Plantings

Community groups partner to raise awareness and support for vulnerable children

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:05am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a grid of stylized blue pinwheels, the national symbol for child abuse prevention, conceptually representing the coordinated community efforts to raise awareness and support for this important cause.Kauai's coordinated pinwheel plantings symbolize the community's commitment to protecting vulnerable children and promoting healthy childhoods.Lihue Today

April is designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Children's Justice Center on Kauai has coordinated with local organizations to plant blue pinwheel gardens at government offices and community centers. The pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, representing a joyful and healthy childhood. Other observances this month include Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

Why it matters

Child abuse is a serious issue that can have long-lasting impacts on victims. By raising awareness and promoting prevention efforts, the Kauai community is taking important steps to support vulnerable children and families. The coordinated activities across different organizations demonstrate a collaborative approach to addressing this complex social problem.

The details

On Tuesday, the Children's Justice Center organized plantings of blue pinwheel gardens at the Judiciary Building, Kauai Police Department, and Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, with help from around 60 members of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. Additional pinwheel plantings are scheduled at the YWCA of Kauai, Child Welfare Services, and the Kauai District Health Office. The pinwheel plantings will remain up throughout April, which is designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

  • The pinwheel plantings took place on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Additional pinwheel plantings are scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, and Thursday, April 10, 2026.
  • National Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed every April.

The players

Children's Justice Center

A community organization that coordinates activities and partnerships to raise awareness about child abuse prevention.

Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Lihue Clubhouse

A youth development organization that provided volunteers to help with the pinwheel plantings.

Kauai Police Department

A local law enforcement agency that hosted a pinwheel planting at their offices.

Office of the Prosecuting Attorney

The local prosecutor's office that also hosted a pinwheel planting.

YWCA of Kauai

A community organization that will host a pinwheel planting on April 9.

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What’s next

On Thursday, April 11, 2026, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will present a proclamation on Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness at the Moikeha Building.

The takeaway

By coordinating community-wide activities and partnerships, the Kauai community is demonstrating a unified commitment to raising awareness and supporting efforts to prevent child abuse. The blue pinwheel gardens serve as a visible symbol of this important cause, inspiring hope and action to protect vulnerable children.