Child Abuse Prevention and Hawaiian Birthing Choices
Connecting Trauma-Informed Practices and
Child Abuse Prevention in the Context of Birthing Choice and Maternal Care
Midwifery Licensure in Hawaiʻi
- 2019: Hawaiʻi passed HRS 457J, which established a licensing system for midwives and created a temporary “birth attendant” exemption, allowing certain unlicensed practitioners to continue assisting births.
- 2023: The exemption expired. Birth attendants without a midwifery license could face penalties.
- 2024: Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit, Kaho’ohanohano v. Hawaiʻi. Court issued a statewide preliminary injunction, which prevents the State from enforcing penalties against Native Hawaiian traditional practitioners.
- 2025: The current law sunsets in June. HB 1194 and HB 1328 were introduced for the 2025 Hawai’i State legislative session. HB 1328, which aimed to expand licensure pathways and protect birth attendants, did not advance. HB 1194 Relating to Midwives is moving forward.
Download: Understanding HB1194 and its Impact on Maternal Health Care Access in Hawaiʻi
On February 12, 2025 Hoʻoikaika Partnership hosted guest speakers for a presentation on “Expanding Access to Midwifery Licensure & Maternal Health” to learn more about the core issues, historical background, and current efforts to ensure birthing choice, access to traditional birth practitioners, and more.
How Does Birthing Choice and Maternal Care Connect to Child Abuse Prevention?
Aligning birthing practices with cultural and spiritual traditions strengthens mother-child sense of safety and ability to form a healthy attachment, which correlates with the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Culturally competent and trauma-informed care reduces maternal stress, which fosters a stronger bond. Integrating culturally-aligned midwifery and Indigenous birthing practices increases access to care, enhances emotional well-being, and promotes healthier mother-child relationships, family bonds, and extended support systems.
Download a fact sheet prepared by HPʻs Pubulic Education & Advocacy Committee:
*As a Trauma-informed state, Hawaiʻi is working towards integrating trauma-informed care principles into all executive state departments and agencies to help mitigate the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and build resilience in children, adults, families, and communities, as well as our state workforce. Trauma is described by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as the result of “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.” Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi Executive Order No 24-01
Links to More Resources
Explore these resources dedicated to strengthening family resilience and well-being with protective factors. We aim to connect families with essential support systems that can help them navigate challenges and thrive together.