Our Mission | Pacific Birth Collective is a community-based organization rooted in respect, inclusivity and care. Our mission is expanding birth and wellness choices through education, support and advocacy for families and practitioners across Hawai’i. |
Our Vision | Our vision is a thriving community where all families & practitioners have access to care that honors diverse pathways and choices supporting their wellbeing. |
Morea MendozaDirector of Leadership and Operations Morea joined the PBC team in early 2024, eager to support the organization with her operational strategy experience and multidisciplinary leadership background. Morea graduated with Honors from the University of San Francisco, with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Ethnic Studies and is a HANO Fellow. She is a born-and-raised Maui mother of two kanaka children (one biological and one bonus) and self-proclaimed “natural birth nerd.” She is passionate about empowering other local ‘ohana in their own birth sovereignty by enabling conscious connections between community and diverse birth practitioners. Morea can be reached at director@pacificbirthcollective.org |
Becky LindDirector of Finance Becky Elizabeth Lind has studied Business Administration at the University of Hawaii and has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit administration and management. Becky works closely with the PBC Board, partners, and staff to ensure operations run smoothly. A Certified Festival & Events Executive (CFEE), Becky also sits on the Hāna Community Association Board as Treasurer, is Vice Chair of the Hāna Advisory Committee to the Maui County Council, and is Director of Hāna Arts. Becky has been living in East Maui for the past 18 years and is a mother of two home birth children. Becky can be reached at accounts@pacificbirthcollective.org |
Kiʻinaniokalani KahoʻohanohanoDirector of Cultural Programs and Advocacy Ki‘i is a cultural practitioner of lomi lomi, La'au lapa'au, ho'oponopono and pale keiki who has been blessed to work with multiple kupuna before their passing. She also apprenticed and practiced with Maui midwives Tina Garzero and Kadi Mourningstar for more than a decade. She is currently practicing as a cultural practitioner with a focus on healing multi-generational trauma. As a mother of five home birth babies, she is committed to reproductive justice and advocacy in Hawaiʻi. She teaches ongoing classes supporting upcoming practitioners and families on Maui. She has been working directly with the Maui Medics and Healers Hui in West Maui to support community healing and rebuilding efforts. With the closing of Hubs she will be offering culture-based wellness and healing support at various sites around Maui. Updates to come. Ki'i can be reached at kii@pacificbirthcollective.org |
Mariah StrongDirector of Programs and Communications Mariah is a co-founder of Pacific Birth Collective. She was born and raised in Haiku, Maui. Her mom, Kadi Mourningstar has been supporting families and attending births on Maui for more than 30 years and is a respected elder in the out of hospital community. Mariah is passionate about the rites of passage that are initiated around pregnancy, birth and the postpartum periods. She is active in supporting the education of reproductive health, rights and advocacy within communities. Supporting to bring the power of childbirth back into the hands of the birthing person, their family and community. She birthed both of her daughters, Indie and Isla, at home. She develops and manages programs and social media. Mariah can be reached at aloha@pacificbirthcollective.org |
Celestine CasserleyProgram Manager Celestine was born and raised in Kula. She came on board after the Maui Fires to assist in programs and systems development. She manages our mobile van program which will be serving Maui's rural communities. |
image to come | Sommer PaulsonOnsite Coordinator Sommer has been instrumental in donation and distribution efforts. She has been working with volunteers and coordinating with community hubs around Maui to get essential mother/baby items out to families. |
Natasha BooneEvent Coordinator Natasha was born and raised on Maui and is the beloved daughter of Maui midwife Tina Garzero. She joined PBC after the Maui fires to offer support through Wellness Wednesdays, and directly working with families to help them access essential supplies and services. She is assists with the implementation and scheduling of community and professional classes, events, and workshops. |
image to come | Valerie DettloffOnsite Coordinator Valerie was born and raised in Ha'iku Maui, Mama of two, and is a life long water woman and manawahine loved by many. She brings her strong work ethic and can do attitude to the PBC donation center where she coordinates volunteers and helps our mama's get needed supplies across the island from the PBC inventory. |
image to come | Tina MauOnsite Coordinator Tina was born and raised on West Maui. She joined PBC after the Maui fires to offer support through Honokowai Healers Hui, and directly working with families to help them access essential supplies and services. With the closing of the Honokowai hub she will be assisting with the coordination of cultural programs at various sites around Maui. |
Sonya NiessBoard President Sonya has practiced as a doula and childbirth educator for 13 years. Her passion began when she was 18 and read the book the Red Tent, which sparked a passion to explore midwifery and birth in many contexts. She went on to get her Masters in Public Health, with special emphasis on Maternal and Child Health from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Upon returning home to Maui, Sonya continued her work as a doula, and also worked in both non-profit and private sectors promoting the health and well being of the community, primarily in policy and systems change and in technology. Sonya is honored to be the mother to two beautiful children. |
Kristina StatlerBoard Vice President Kristina Statler was an original co-founder of the Pacific Birth Collective and helped move it from a simple directory to a broader community resource. She studied and worked for many years in the Maui birth community before turning her attention to new horizons. "I am so grateful and humbled to be voted onto the board of directors, and pledge to do my best to assist PBC in its continuing efforts to bring awareness, spark compassionate debate and uplift our community with news of birth options and birth sovereignty." |
Makalani Franco-FrancisBoard Secretary Born and raised on Maui, Makalani Franco-Francisa is a home birth mom of three keiki, a cultural practitioner and Pale Keiki. Her excitement surrounding birth began with the birth of her daughter and has continuously grown. She has been a hula practitioner for 26 years and is a Hawaiian Studies student at UHMC as well as a student of traditional healing practices. She is passionate about contributing to the empowerment of ʻohana and community through birth and aloha ʻāina and feels honored to be a part of the Pacific Birth Collective. |
Haley Rabago CallahanBoard Treasurer Born and raised on Maui, Haley is passionate about offering culturally relevant and holistic birth services to our unique island community, as well as support for all pregnancy experiences and family structures. Her greatest teachers over the years have been aunties and tutu, birthworkers, indigenous practitioners, and—above all—her own children. She is DONA-trained and experienced Doula. Haley finds deep purpose and joy as a supporter of mothers on their pregnancy journey in both home and hospital. She provides full-spectrum physical, emotional, mental and spiritual support to families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. She serves as a gentle guide, professional advocate, and true believer in your ability to birth the way you desire. |
Wyonette WallettBoard Member Wyonette is native to North Shore Maui, where she also raised her family. She is currently doing community services and assisting families with two Maui birth keepers. Passionate about protecting women's rights, health care autonomy, and Hawaiian culture. |
Kiana Rowley, BSN RNBoard Member Kiana is a co-founder and former Board Vice President of Pacific Birth Collective. She served as Interim Director after the August 8th Wildfires to assist PBC in offering expanded support to impacted women and families. She was raised in Maui and has two Kanaka daughters born at home with Midwives. She is passionate about advocating for the protection of cultural practices around birth which incorporates access to healthy foods, clean water and 'aina based resources including safe and affordable housing. She proudly works along side an all-woman team of directors, contractors, and board members dedicated to empowering women and families through direct support, education and advocacy. |
Ex Officio Members
| Ki'inaniokalani Kaho'ohanohanoMariah StrongLantana HokeEx Officio Board Members Ex Officio board members are operational leadership positions on the Board of Directors to help guide Organizational planning, growth and development. Ex Officio members are exempt from all board decisions which impact their organizational role and position. |
Pacific Birth Collective is a Women run 501c3 Non-Profit Organization based in Ha'iku, Maui with greater than fifty percent BIPOC Staff and Board. We are committed to a decentralized, feminine style leadership model where we work alongside one another to adapt to the changing needs of our community. We commit to holding a safe and empowering space for one another and our community and humbly ask for you to speak up and hold us accountable that our words and actions reflect this commitment. |