County of Maui photo

Victims of crime were remembered at a ceremony and candlelight vigil Thursday to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

This year’s theme is “Options, services and hope for crime survivors. How would you help?”

Victims’ family members, victim/witness counselors, deputy prosecutors, police, Women Helping Women and other nonprofit service providers were among those at the event on the front lawn of Kalana O Maui County Building.

“This event and its theme take on added significance among the thousands of wildfire survivors who have lost so much and are also victims of crime,” said County of Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin (photo 2). “There’s another layer of trauma and added risk we weren’t facing on August 7.”

Leo Caires, Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Bissen (photo 1), presented a proclamation acknowledging those who work to help victims of crime.

“It’s a time to stand with survivors, acknowledge their strengths and recommit to their support,” Caires said.

Martin thanked family members of Dennis Pacheco, who was killed in “a senseless shooting” in Kanaio in 2018, for attending the event.

“The family has been through all of the most difficult parts of the criminal justice system you can imagine,” Martin said. “Despite all our best efforts, the system can still be incredibly difficult on victims.”