ANNOUNCEMENTS

The January 25, 2025 Hawai'i Inter-island Midwife Gathering, Maui Beach Hotel is happening! The event will be a critical step toward improving maternal healthcare networks throughout the Hawaiian Islands by fostering inter-professional relationships and providing continuing education credits (and food and fun!) for attendees at no cost. 

Visit the event website to learn more about the speakers, sponsors...and RSVP!

www.mauimidwiferygathering.com 

In response to inquiry as to the progress of establishing interim rules for the DCCA Midwives Program, HAA received a reply from the Director of DCCA indicating her decision to pause the rule making process. HAA is seeking support to addressed the continued barriers to trade faced by the licensed CM and CPM credential. Feel free to contact the board with any questions, concerns, suggestions: acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com

Aloha Dr. Manant and members of the Hawaii Affiliate of the ACNM Board:

Thank you for your email sent below.  While I am not looking to schedule a meeting at this time, we appreciate and remain open to your feedback on the Midwives Program.

My decision to pause the interim rules process is due to the ongoing litigation pending before the First Circuit Court, State of Hawaii in Kaho`ohanohano, et al. v. State of Hawaii, et al., and the Court’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction dated July 23, 2024.  When the Department first scheduled the hearing on the proposed interim rules, the Court’s Order had not yet been issued.  By the time of the hearing, however, the Order had been issued and included rulings regarding the unconstitutionality of certain provisions in the Midwives statute and the preliminary enjoinment of any State enforcement implicated by those provisions.  The proposed interim rules had not addressed what the Court ruled were constitutionally protected Native Hawaiian customary rights at issue.  In light of the Court’s ruling, I determined it would be prudent to pause the rule making process to evaluate the appropriate next steps.

I appreciate that this decision is disappointing to hear about in view of the considerable efforts and input you and the HAA Board have made to move the rulemaking process along.  Nevertheless, I hope that you continue to lend your knowledge and expertise to the Midwives Program, especially as we approach the upcoming legislative session.

Sincerely,

Nadine Ando

Director, DCCA

Mahalo to Hawai'i Home Birth Collective for hosting the fifth Zoom cross-credential meeting re: REVISION OF FREESTANDING BIRTHING FACILITIES REGULATIONS 

Sunday Sept 22 @ 4:30 pm HST in-person @ PBC & via Zoom

Mahalo to everyone who has participated in meetings and reached out individually on this very important topic. The HIHBC board is excited to host the next cross-credential and community meeting to discuss proposed Hawaii birth center regulation changes and advocacy updates. We will be meeting in-person at the Pacific Birth Collective, and on Zoom. We want to express gratitude to the ACNM Foundation, Inc & their grant funding support for the advancement of midwifery that has contributed to these efforts to open up the conversations across credentials. In addition, thank you to PBC for co-hosting this meeting. And, although we uniquely lie far away from mainland concerns, leadership in national organizations such as ACNM, AABC, & NACPM continue to hold an interest & offer support toward the potential in Hawai'i to expand access to midwifery care. As we share and collaborate on our challenges, they become attainable. Mahalo for all that you do! 

Wishing you well, 

Hawaii Homebirth Collective Board

contact for link: hawaiihomebirthcollective@gmail.com

Monday September 9 @ 6 pm HST

Mahalo for all who attended!

Agenda items included membership drive, updates from Birth Center, reimbursement, CM, and preceptor tax-credit advocacy. 

Please contact the Board for any of the new business topics: fundraiser brainstorming and cross-credential midwives gathering on Maui, or access to the updated Bylaws.

Nominations are now open for Board Treasurer, Affiliate Legislative Contact, and Panel Community Stakeholders. Contact board via to cast your vote: acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com

Next HAA General Meeting date TBA.

Minutes posted to Connect.

Join us for a fourth Zoom cross-credential meeting re: REVISION OF FREESTANDING BIRTHING FACILITIES REGULATIONS 

Sunday August 11 @ 6 pm HST

As the conversation continues, the HAA Community Midwives Committee is hosting another meeting regarding regs revision. Leadership from all midwifery organizations in Hawai'i have been invited, Hawai'i Home Birth Collective, Midwives Alliance of Hawai'i, and the Pacific Birth Collective. Please come and share your vision for future birth centers in Hawai'i. And, if you cannot make the meeting & wish to be involved in the conversation, please email your representative organization or acnmhawaiimidwives@gmail.com

Funding support by ACNM Foundation, Inc 

W. Newton Long Award for the Advancement of Midwifery 2024

Findings of Hearing on Plantiff's' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

June 10, 12, 13, and 14, 2024

Judge Hon Shirley M. Kawamura

KI‘INANIOKALANI KAHO‘OHANOHANO; KIANA ROWLEY; A. EZINNE DAWSON; MAKALANI FRANCO-FRANCIS; KAWEHI KU‘AILANI; MORIAH SALADO; MOREA MENDOZA; ALEX AMEY; and PI‘ILANI SCHNEIDER-FURUYA, on behalf of themselves, their students, and the pregnant and birthing people they care for, 

Plaintiffs, 

v. THE STATE OF HAWAI‘I; ANNE LOPEZ, in her official capacity as Attorney General of the State of Hawai‘i; DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS; and NADINE ANDO, in her official capacity as the Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, 

Defendants.

"The Court grants the Motion in part and denies it in part." 

Grants the motion: As there currently is no way to obtain an exemption for "traditional [Native Hawai'ian] healing practices of prenatal, maternal, and child care" have obtained a preliminary a hold from enforcing penalties. 

Denial: "Reproductive decision regarding the use of unlicensed midwife care are not a protected fundamental right."

https://reproductiverights.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PI-Order-July-24-2024-Hawaii.pdf

Join us for a third Zoom cross-credential meeting re: REVISION OF FREESTANDING BIRTHING FACILITIES REGULATIONS 

Monday, July 8th @ 6 pm HST

Advocacy efforts continue in the development of proposed revision to Freestanding Birthing Facilities regulations under DOH Title 11-93-50. This meeting is open to midwives across credential to discuss the details of the July 1st hui with attendees: American Association of Birth Centers (AABC), Hawai'i Affiliate of ACNM (HAA), Hawai'i Maternal & Infant Health Collaborative (HMIHC), Hawai'i Section of ACOG (ACOG), Rep Ichiyama, Rep. Marten, Healthcare Association of Hawai'i (HAH), and Midwives Alliance of Hawai'i (MAH).  

This webinar is supported, in part, by The A.C.N.M Foundation, Inc., and W. Newton Long Award Fund for the Advancement of Midwifery. 

For more info & Zoom link: contact Margaret Ragen CM, LM, MS via acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Act 32, SLH 2019, notice is hereby given that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (“DCCA”) will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 29, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. both in-person in the King Kalakaua Conference Room, 1st Floor, King Kalakaua Building, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, 335 Merchant Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, and virtually to hear persons interested in the proposed interim rules, Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”) Chapter 16-121, pertaining to Midwives. Please visit our Midwives Committee meetings schedule website — https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/midwives-committee-meetings/ — where you will find the necessary information to access this public hearing virtually.
The purpose of the proposed interim rules is to further clarify the initial and renewal license requirements, scope of practice, and unprofessional conduct for licensed midwives by: (1) Clarifying the definition of midwifery care; (2) Clarifying renewal and restoration requirements for licensed midwives; (3) Recognizing the scope of practice for certified professional midwives and certified midwives; (4) Clarifying the administration, storage and recordkeeping for non-controlled legend drugs and devices during the practice of midwifery as allowed by HRS Chapter 457J-11; (5) Further clarifying unprofessional conduct of a licensed midwife; and (6) Further clarifying the basis for denying or disciplining an applicant or licensed midwife.
Interested persons shall be afforded the opportunity to submit data, views, or arguments, orally or in writing, at the time of hearing as time permits. All persons wishing to submit written testimony are requested to email their written testimony to midwives@dcca.hawaii.gov or if mailing in hard copy, please ensure that your testimony is received by July 22, 2024, to the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division at the address printed below so that it can be included as part of the record.
A copy of the proposed rules will be mailed to any person who requests a copy upon receipt of $3.17 for the copy and postage. Please submit your request to the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division at the address noted below or contact the Midwives Program’s office by email at midwives@dcca.hawaii.gov.
Copies may be picked up at the following address between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays: Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, 335 Merchant Street, Room 343, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. The cost of a copy, $1.30, is due and payable at the time of pick up.
Further, the proposed rules may be reviewed in person free of charge at the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division at the address and hours of operation printed above. In addition, the full text of the proposed rules is available and can be downloaded free of charge from the web site of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs:
https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/programs/midwife/midwives-statute-rules-chapter/
Individuals who require special needs accommodations are invited to call Alexander Pang at (808) 586-2701 at least four (4) working days prior to the hearing.

Nadine Ando, Director

Department of Commerce
and Consumer Affairs

Aloha from Community First Hawai’i!

We are excited to invite you to our 2nd Annual Hawai’i Island Healthcare Conference, taking place on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, followed by a Pau Hana Networking Reception. The theme for this year’s conference is “Facing the Future Together.”

What to Expect:

• Engaging presentations from leading healthcare professionals
• Pau Hana Networking Reception to follow the conference
• Interactive workshops and breakout sessions

Stay Connected:

• Save the date! Mark your calendar for October 10th.
• Below you will find the "Save the Date" flyer with more details.
• Visit our website https://www.communityfirsthawaii.org/hi-healthcare-conference for ongoing updates about the conference, registration, sponsorship or exhibitor information, and a link to book your accommodations.
  

Important Information:

This year, a small registration fee of $25 will help us continue to offer this conference and it will us cover a small portion of costs associated with hosting the event. Registration for this event can be made by clicking the link below. Please note that it will automatically prompt you to include a voluntary contribution to our registration host, Zeffy, but it is not required. If you wish to remove the contribution, you must select other and enter $0.00 or you may enter any amount. However, all contributions allow Zeffy to offer nonprofits this service for free.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please reach out to us at info@communityfirsthawaii.org for any questions.

We had such a wonderful luncheon and walk through the holy Kīluea Iki Trail, hosted by JoAnn Johansen, CNM. Hawai'i is home to a robust dozen of CNMs...and one CM! What a blessing to get together and talk story - reminiscing back into the 80s including sharing insights learned through service on Molokai and Oahu, too! Much gratitude for this very special day!

Join us for a second Zoom cross-credential meeting re: REVISION OF FREESTANDING BIRTHING FACILITIES REGULATIONS 

Friday, May 31st 2024 @ 6 pm HST

Advocacy efforts continue in the development of proposed revision to Freestanding Birthing Facilities regulations under DOH Title 11-93-50. This meeting is open to midwives across credential to discuss next steps, as proposed by DOH Director Kenneth Fink MD, MGA, MPH.

This webinar is supported, in part, by The A.C.N.M Foundation, Inc., and W. Newton Long Award Fund for the Advancement of Midwifery. 

For more info & Zoom link: contact Margaret Ragen CM, LM, MS via acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com

HAA has been invited to a hui hosted by Hawai'i Maternal & Infant Health Collaborative (HMIHC) to share updates of efforts towards revision of 1986 Freestanding Birthing Facilities regulations. Other attendees include: American Association of Birth Centers (AABC), Hawai'i Section of ACOG (ACOG), Hawai'i State Legislators, Healthcare Association of Hawai'i (HAH), and Midwives Alliance of Hawai'i (MAH). The meeting has been set for July 1st, 2024. There will be a follow-up cross-credential meeting to discuss the details of the meeting with the working midwifery group. Feel free to contact acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com with any comments or questions.

UPDATE: July 1, 2024

Agenda for the meeting included discussion of requests previously presented to Dr. Fink and the addition of goals of MAH for data collection & accreditation. A survey will be drafted to get feedback from all CM/CNMs in Hawai'i on these issues.

30 minute distance from FBF to hospital OR/proximity to hospital
 

Agreement by hospitals to receive transports: formal agreement or transfer plan
 

Process for OB/GYNs to have input/approval for risk criteria of clients and protocols for FBF
 

Having unlicensed personnel employed at the birth center
 

Data collection for monitoring and quality improvement
 

Join us for our Spring HAA General Meeting via Zoom

Thursday, June 13th @ 6 pm HST

We're thrilled to announce, Professor Carmen Linhares will be discussing her original research on midwifery & spirituality. The Lived Experiences of Midwives with Spirituality in Childbirth: Mana from Heaven

Seems a much needed balance to all of the advocacy work with which we've been so busy this past season! We'll have updates & opportunities for engagement in that regard, too. Hope to see you there!  All CM and CNMs most welcome.

For more info & Zoom link contact: acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com

We are pleased to announce the opening of a new midwifery clinic and homebirth practice in Kealakekua, Hawai'i - serving the South Kona Community. Midwives: Aimee Disharoon, CPM, LM, Margaret Ragen CM, LM, MA & Michelle VanDruff CNM, APRN. Currently taking applications for CM and CNM midwifery students for 2025. Precepting Affiliation with Georgetown University. Please also consider donating to their 'Ohana Fund to support access to midwifery care. Visit them at: ohiamidwifery.com

Join us for a Zoom cross-credential meeting re: REVISION OF FREESTANDING BIRTHING FACILITIES REGULATIONS 

Monday, May 13th 2024 @ 6 pm HST

Advocacy efforts continue in the development of proposed revision to Freestanding Birthing Facilities regulations under DOH Title 11-93-50. This meeting is open to midwives across credential to discuss next steps, as proposed by DOH Director Kenneth Fink MD, MGA, MPH.

This webinar is supported, in part, by The A.C.N.M Foundation, Inc., and W. Newton Long Award Fund for the Advancement of Midwifery. 

For more info & Zoom link: contact Margaret Ragen CM, LM, MS via acnmhawaiiaffiliate@gmail.com

HAA is pleased at announce that Elyssa Klokkhammer, BSN has been awarded the 2024 Midwifery Student Scholarship $500 worth of congratulatory courage to keep up the good work and keep going. Elyssa is in her final semester and plans to continue working in the Hawai'i community post graduation. We wish you well, Elyssa! And, to all students in Hawai'i. HAA seeks to be a source of support for all! Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns to:

acnmhawaiimidwives@gmail.com