LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women (KCCSW) hosted a special presentation on Friday with Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and three outreach agencies to receive donated feminine hygiene product packets from the committee that was spearheaded by Kathy Crowell.
Kawakami, whose wife Monica is a member of the KCCSW, said she has been a teacher for two decades, and during that time has come home with tales of students who run into the problems with starting their menstrual cycle.
“The Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women unanimously agreed on the donation of the period product packets to agencies in the community that provide service to women and girls who are homeless,” said Edie Ignacio Neumiller, Kaua‘i Commissioner and Ex-Officio of the KCCSW. “Access to period products is essential for health and safety, especially for women in need.”
During the presentation, the KCCSW donated 46 period product packets each to Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, and Family Life Center Kaua‘i. Each group provides support services for women and youths through their programs and overall missions to address and serve the health and safety needs of the Kaua‘i community.
Representatives from each of the recipient organizations were present for the donation, with several noting that they have people walking in and asking for feminine hygiene products because the prices make them inaccessible.
“Mahalo to our Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women for caring and supporting women and girls in our community, and being positive advocates through education and collaborative efforts as seen today with these three service organizations,” Kawakami said. “We are grateful to you all for the work you do, and giving your time and resources to help those in need.”
He added that following discussions with Wes Perreira and the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i, he is encouraging people participating in the county’s food drives to consider adding feminine hygiene products as part of their contributions to the food banks because people in need often approach the food banks for those products.
The Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women is currently engaged in the promotion of breast cancer awareness in observance of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and is encouraging everyone to demonstrate their individual support of breast cancer awareness by wearing pink.
For more information on the Kaua‘i County Committee on the Status of Women, visit www.kauai.gov/KCCSW.
