Period poverty
noun
1 the limited or inadequate access to menstrual products or menstrual health education as a result of financial constraints, negative socio-cultural stigmas associated with menstruation, or inadequate access to period-friendly sanitation facilities and running water
2 the state of menstrual inequity
THE COST OF PARADISE
- 15% of local households live below the Federal Poverty level
- 44% of local households make just enough not to be "poor" but struggle to meet the most basic needs
- Hawai'i leads the nation with the highest cost of living
- Low-wage workers are increasingly more vulnerable as the job landscape changes and as wages remain stagnant
- Low income is associated with lower levels of education, higher rates of unemployment and poorer health
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(ALICE IN HAWAI'I: 2022 FACTS AND FIGURES)
In 2023, more of
hawai'i's families are
struggling to make ends meet.
The economic downturn due to the pandemic, coupled with sharp inflation, has only exacerbated the financial and economic hardships local households have already been facing. The families struggling to cover basic needs are the same families that will suffer in silence with period poverty.
Today, 1 in 3 parents across the nation are worried about their ability to afford period products. When girls, women, transgender and nonbinary individuals do not have access to period products, studies have shown their education, work and livelihood are directly and negatively impacted.
Our response
We at Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi believe it is our kuleana, or responsibility, that all individuals of menstruation age have the right to access sanitary products, safe and hygienic places to use them, and the right to manage their bodies without shame or stigma.
Hāʻawi
Access our registry and donate from a list of sanitary products from your favorite retailers, like Amazon and Costco. All products purchased will go directly to individuals or organizations working with menstruators.
Kākoʻo
Join us in demanding systemic change towards gender inequality by dismantling legislation that perpetuates period poverty.
Makana
Support our initiative and make a monetary donation through PayPal to keep our operations going. All funds will be used to purchase sanitary products and maintain operating costs.
latest news
Learn about our latest initiatives & get involved today!
First Official Report on Menstruation in Hawai'i
We released the first report on menstruation in Hawaiʻi in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women! When we started Ma'i Movement Hawai'i last year, there was no local organization singularly focused on the issue of period poverty and addressing menstrual inequity in Hawai'i at a systemic level. We wanted to change that, and more importantly, we wanted to give the people of Hawai'i a voice in the cause.
2023 Legislative Priorities
The introduction of the menstrual equity policies to the Hawai'i legislature aims to address the ongoing effects of menstrual inequity and period poverty within the state of Hawai'i, while promoting gender, basic needs, and socioeconomic inequities through ensuring the availability of safe and free menstrual products. This year, we are focusing on increasing access in state buildings and the University of Hawai'i System, consisting of universities, community colleges, and education centers.
The article that was published in the Honolulu Civil Beat on November 22, 2022 regarding Kai Kahele contained a picture of Nikki-Ann Yee, one of the co-founders with Mr. Kahele. The publishing of the picture or the reason why the picture was taken had no relationship to the content of the article or Mr. Kahele. This is a complete misrepresentation of our local grassroots organization, Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi, that us sisters founded at the end of 2020 to address period poverty and menstrual equity. It is intrusive and shines a negative light on Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi and our co-founder and we have demanded a written retraction from the Honolulu Civil Beat.
- Brandy, Nikki & Jamie
Maʻi Movement Hawaiʻi
Mahalo for your kōkua !
Our organization is run 100% by volunteers and completely funded by donations. We appreciate any amount – no matter how big or small.
Since Nov. 2020
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Ma'i Movement Merch
Make ma'i moves with us and check out our merch on Bonfire, an online store that allows us to fundraise and promote our cause and mission. Every purchase of a t-shirt, tote or mask provides at least a month's supply of menstrual products to a person in need.