Advocacy In Hawai'i
We are a community-based non profit organization birth & wellness choices across Hawai'i. This includes supporting the choices of Birthing People to access a full range of reproductive services including the right to choose where and with whom we give birth. |
Protection for Cultural Midwifery |
 | Evidence shows that access to Midwifery care improves health outcomes for all Birthing people and their children. We support women and Birthing peoples right to discern for themselves what experience and educational pathway is right for them when choosing a Midwife or Birth Attendant. For this reason we support a Birth Attendant Licensure Exemption for Hawaii Revised Statue - HRS 457-J. What's at stake?Women will choose to birth where and with whom they want regardless of whether midwifery is legal. To improve safety of birth in Hawai'i Pacific Birth Collective supports expanded collaboration between medical organizations and diverse independent care providers. |
HB955 and Companion bill SB1047 were introduced in 2023 with overwhelming support. HB955 received over 1200 supportive testimony and passed successfully through the House Committee on Health and Consumer Protection. Unfortunately it stalled in the House Finance Committee. SB1047 was not introduced in the 2024 session. Since these are BIENNIUM Bills (Two-year term of legislative activity), these Bills will pick up where they left off at the Beginning of the next legislative session in JANUARY 2024. Stay tuned for 2024! Follow Hawai'i Home Birth Collective for further info on Action for 2023 New to Midwifery? Learn the basics and more about the Midwifery legacy here in Hawai'i | Over 1300 public and organizational testimonies
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Media Coverage:Mar 2023 Maui News Now: Midwifery licensing bill reaches crucial deadline Mar 2023 Hawai'i News Now, Mahealani Richardson: Fearing the future of their work, traditional midwives rally at state Capitol Mar 2023 Hawai'i News Now: Hawaii midwives stage sit-in, saying their services could be banned without legislative action Feb 2023 Civil Beat: Midwives will soon need a license, Many Push Back Feb 2023 Hawai'i Public Radio: Midwifery Licensure Laws up for debate at State Legislature | Statewide Resource Guide:Current Hawai'i Midwifery Law: Hawai'i Midwifery Statue HRS457-J Task Force Report HRS457J Task Force Report supporting a need for more diversity, equity and inclusion in the current Statue |
To Hawai'i 2023 Legislators, I am _________________. I support HB955, Sovereign's Law RELATING TO CHAPTER 457J, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES. (This is important to me because ____________. ) Access to Midwifery care improves health outcomes and safety for all Birthing people and their children. I support continuation of the Birth Attendant exemption and the addition of the Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP), certified by the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM) to be included in HRS 457-J as written in SB1047 and HB955. These exemptions allow for the profession of Midwifery to continue to grow in equitable ways, allowing accessibility, diversity, cultural and religious freedom for Hawai’i. After July 2023 the temporary exemption is set to expire, criminalizing Midwifery practitioners who are filling a vital need in our communities. I support the sovereignty of Midwifery to continue through traditional apprenticeship pathways in Hawai'i. The perpetuation of community-based apprenticeship for the training of Midwives is essential for safety and equitable access to Midwifery care for all people, especially Black, Indigenous and Women of Color families today and for future generations. Please Support Birth Attendant Exemption and the Portfolio Evaluation Proccess (PEP) for Hawai'i. Support maintaining active pathways for the perpetuation of traditional practices of health and healing in our communities. Documents of Community Wide Support: |
Hawai'i Commission on the Status of Women Commitment to the Revitalization of Midwifery and the End of White Supremacy in Hawaiʻi |
Ua Ola Loko I Ke Aloha
ʻōlelo noʻeau, Mary Kawena Pūkuʻi #2836
love gives life within
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