End Period Poverty in Hawai'i

UPDATE: We are now a 501c3! Mahalo for stopping by to donate. Please head to our official website to make a donation: maimovement.org/donate.

"Never cease to act because you fear you may fail." (Queen Lili'uokalani)

Anyone growing up in Hawaii will tell you that there is a cost to living in paradise.  In recent years, that “cost” has only been amplified by stagnant wages, an increasing cost of living and a rising housing market. The last census reported that 9% of Hawaii families were struggling with poverty and a recent study released from Aloha United Way showed that there has been a growing number of local households with income above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living. 

Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues, causing more financial instability to an already fragile existence for many local families. By the end of 2020, nearly half of Hawai’i’s local families will be struggling to make ends meet and it’s these same families that will face period poverty.   

Period poverty refers to menstruation inequities and inadequate access to menstruation products for students, low-income and homeless women and girls, transgender and nonbinary indviduals and incarcertaed people.  

Today, 1 in 3 parents across the nation are worried about their ability to afford period products and 1 in 4 women struggle 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.   

There are drives for food, diapers, toys and toiletries, but little directly benefitting girls, women and people of menstruating age. Period poverty is a state often times associated with shame and stigmas so many suffer in silence, but it is time to bring it to light in Hawai’i. Together, founders Brandy-Lee and Nikki-Ann Yee hope menstruators in Hawai’i will have the confidence and comfort of knowing that they have the access and tools for their ma’i.

WHO WE ARE

The Ma'i Movement is a local grown grassroots organization created to end period poverty in Hawai'i. Our mission is to provide and distribute free menstrual products to menstruators in need and lobby for systemic change in the government, schools and community to end period poverty in Hawai’i. We believe that all individuals of menstruation age in Hawai’i have the right to access menstrual products and education without financial burden, shame or stigma.  

OUR RESPONSE

We at the Ma’i Movement 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.

WHO WE SERVE

We serve all girls, women, transgender and nonbinary individuals and incarcerated peiople who do not have access to menstrual products. 

All funds will be used to purchase menstrual products for the individuals and organizations we serve, along with funding our efforts to continue the movement.  

Interested in supporting our movement?

Follow us on Instagram @maimovementhawaii or visit our website at maimovement.org

Mahalo for your kokua and support!