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Pacific Birth Collective

Island of Maui










Pacific Birth Collective

  Island of Maui


Education, Support, and Advocacy for Birth and Wellness Choices Across Hawai'i

Midwifery in Hawaiʻi

Lay of the land for midwifery care, licensing, and state organizations in HawaiÊ»i 

The Midwifery Model of Care

Midwifery Care is:

  • A women-centered approach which perceives Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum as an optimal state of Wellness with unique physical, spiritual, emotional, nutritional and medical needs.  
  • A blend between art and science acknowledging the inter-connectedness & complexity of each women's experience and needs during each stage of life from Menarche to Menopause and through all stages of her childbearing year.   

Image based on the work of Carol Gautchi, who is a Traditionally trained and licensed Midwife on the Washington Peninsula

who developed and presented the framework for Classical Midwifery Care in the image above. 

Types of Modern Pregnancy and Birth Care Providers in Hawai'i

Birth Attendant - A Midwifery Practitioner who's education and training does not qualify them for Hawai'i licensure

*designated in 2019

Certified Nurse-Midwife - CNM

Certified Professional Midwife - CPM

Direct Entry Midwife - DEM

Hilot or Lola - Traditional Filipina Healer and birth keeper

Licensed Midwife  - LM

Pale Keiki - Traditional Native Hawaiian Healer and birth keeper  

Samba San - Traditional Japanese Healer and birth keeper

Traditional birth keeper 


Other Professionals who serve childbearing women: 

Doula: a Non-medical support person during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

Montrice: Offers support as a Doula but is also able to perform basic medical care under a primary midwife or doctor

Naturopathic Doctor - NP

Registered Nurse - RN

Hawai'i Midwifery Legislation

Controversial Midwifery legislated was passed in the State of Hawaii in May of 2019.   HRS 457-J  is now in affect allowing Certified Professional Midwives to apply for state licensure with an exemption for Birth Attendants expiring July 2023.