The Ma‘i Movement continues to work toward its goal of ending “period poverty” in Hawaii.
Sisters Nikki-Ann and Brandy-Lee Yee co-founded the Ma‘i Movement in 2020 and have been advocating for changes in Hawaii’s government and communities so menstruators never have to worry about their ma‘i, or periods.
“I think we’ve made major strides, but there is still work to be done,” Nikki-Ann Yee said. “We have always said that our main goal is to not exist, but that would mean that everyone menstruating in Hawaii has free access to everything necessary for their ma‘i at all times.”
Over 3 1/2 years and four legislative sessions, the nonprofit has supported different initiatives to battle period poverty — the lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products, sometimes due to costs — and ultimately spearheaded Senate Bill 2821.
The bill passed in 2022 and required the state Department of Education to provide free menstrual products to students on all public school campuses.
“This was an important bill, because it established that period products are a basic need, just like toilet paper and soap,” Yee said. “Since then, there have been more private schools that have made these products free with more students advocating on their campuses.”
In 2023, the state Senate passed a resolution urging the University of Hawaii system to offer period products at all of its locations across the state at the the start of the 2023 fall semester.
“Seeing universities establish policies for period equity was amazing and was indicative of the change we were aiming for,” Yee said. “Instead of worrying about period products each month, students can save money or use it for other expenses.”
The resolution was supported by the UH system, and the House passed HB 2117 in February 2024, which requires all UH campuses, community colleges and education centers to provide free menstrual products for all students.
During the 2023 legislative session, the Ma‘i Movement also collaborated with state Rep. Rachele Lamosao of Oahu to advocate for free access to menstruation products in specific restrooms in all public buildings maintained by the state Department of Accounting and General Services.
Although the measures died during the session, Lamosao won an award from the National Foundation of Women Legislators and was able to distribute period products to libraries across the state.
The bill, now named SB3000, was introduced again this year, but was recommended to be deferred by a House committee in March.
“We hope to see improvement when it comes to policy regarding state buildings,” Yee said. “We have seen great results through the pilot program at state libraries and the dispensers implemented in county courthouses.”
In January, Ma‘i Movement partnered with the state Judiciary to make period products free in the Third Circuit Courthouses in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
“We are pleased to make these products available to court users who need them,” said Third Circuit Chief Court Administrator Dawn West in a press release. “While adequate food and shelter readily come to mind as daily necessities, access to these personal hygiene products can be difference makers in the lives of girls and women.”
Over the past four years, the Ma‘i Movement also has been developing gender-inclusive, locally inspired educational booklets about ma‘i management, which can be distributed in DOE schools.
“A long-term goal for us is for more schools to have proper menstrual health education. The DOE has taken some proactive steps, but more work can always be done,” Yee said.
In April, Keaau High School invited the Ma‘i Movement to its first annual Period Education Fair along with other local organizations and individuals advocating for menstrual equity.
“Students are mindful that there needs to be more education and are often the ones to carry knowledge back home,” Yee said. “Those conversations within families are where change can become lasting.”
In May and June, the nonprofit hosted volunteer days on each island for its Ma‘i Care Kit program. The kits are assembled with reusable period products and are sent to individuals and local organizations.
Brandy-Lee Yee and Hawaii Island volunteers gathered at Nani Mau Gardens to assemble 400 kits, which were distributed to the Neighborhood Place of Puna, Project Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Rodeo Ohana, Malama Pono Kohala, West Hawaii Family Support Services and Big Island Substance Abuse Council.
Since November 2020, the Ma‘i Movement has helped thousands of individuals, distributed 15,947 care kits, and fostered relationships with 135 community partners.
“We believe everyone has the right to access period products safely without shame or stigma. Periods won’t stop, so we hope to create long, lasting systemic change,” Nikki-Ann Yee said.
For more information about the nonprofit, visit maimovement.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.