Professional Growth Meets Natural Beauty
Immerse in Professional Growth: Choose Your Midwifery Retreat Experience - On-Site or Workshop-Only
Here's a Snapshot of Important Dates and Details
Event Ticket Types: There are On-Site Accomodations that come with 2 Welcome Dinner Tickets and 2 Workshop Tickets included in the purchase of the room (can add more if more roommates are joining). For those wanting to stay off-site and for locals wanting to join the 3 days of Workshops, we have a Workshop Attendee Only Ticket option below.
On-Site Guest Check-In 4pm Thursday and Check-Out 10am Monday. The Welcome Dinner opens Thursday night at 6:30 PM to create intentional space, share laughs, and make new friends before the weekend begins.
Workshops run 9:00am-2:00pm Friday-Sunday with Breakfast and Lunch included at the Retreat Home. Fare will be locally supplied and have both vegan and omnivore options daily.
Event Location: 1.2 acre private farm near Kua Bay ten minutes south of Kailua-Kona Town (exact address released closer to event). Flights come in and out of KOA airport with rideshare apps and car rentals available for transportation to/from the Retreat home.
Time to Relax: Afternoons and evenings are left free for Attendees and On-Site Guests to explore the vibrant island of Kona, Hawaii. Shopping, dining, nighttime manta ray dives, daytime snorkeling, trips to the beach for play, and a full private farm to explore are all yours for the weekend. For those staying On-Site, you will have access to the gourmet kitchen for preparing shared dinners in the evening as well. All Attendees will have access to a Facebook group to begin their adventure planning at purchase.
Our limited rooms are expected to fill quickly, so secure your spot early to guarantee your preferred lodging option.
Navigating the Retreat Experience
Important Dates and Details to Remember
How to Use this Course
GBS IAP
TXA
Oxytocin IV
Community Standards of Care
Documentation Standards and Requirements
Suturing Fundamentals
Post-Tests and Exit Survey
We are Birth Working.
Pacific Birth Institute (PBI) is a community-focused perinatal education and training institute dedicated to equipping birth workers with the competency and skills to provide safe, effective care. Founded by professional and nurse midwives, PBI aims to educate and train 100,000 midwifery students and birth assistants by 2050, with graduates already practicing in 24 states and 5 countries. Through comprehensive programs including the Professional Birth Assistant (Pro BA) course, Midwifery Skills Days and Retreats, and the Midwifery Apprenticeship Boot Camp, PBI empowers birth workers both in-person and online to competently and confidently support home and birth center births. PBI offers culturally responsive, evidence-based training that covers routine care, complications, and emergency management, all designed for diverse learners - from EMTs to stay-at-home parents seeking birth work opportunities, from doulas preparing for emergencies to practicing midwives in need of CEUs and Charting Templates. Driven by a commitment to improving maternal health outcomes, PBI bridges gaps in the perinatal healthcare landscape and empowers birth workers through practical skills and advanced care techniques that save lives. We are Birth Working.
For those looking to immerse themselves fully in the retreat experience, our on-site accommodations offer more than just a place to stay—they provide a sanctuary for rest, connection, and inspiration. Each room is thoughtfully designed to blend comfort with the natural beauty of Hawaii. Each room includes two workshop tickets and two welcome dinner tickets in the price with more available for purchase if you want to invite your friends to stay with you on-site. Check out what each of these rooms has to offer!
The Grand Suite is perfect for those seeking privacy and elegance while enjoying the retreat experience. The Grand Suite is nearly 500 sq ft and boasts panoramic ocean views, stained glass windows, cathedral ceilings, and a jetted tub surrounded by screened windows, creating the feeling of taking a bath in the forest canopy. There is currently a single bed in there in addition to the king, as well as an air mattress for those who want to bring all their friends for the Retreat and Workshops.
The Mauka Suite offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with plenty of space for connection and comfort. The Mauka (mountain view) Suite has it's own en-suite full bath with tub and shower, 18 ft ceilings and a loft. The Mauka Master Suite has screened French doors opening onto the garden and is outfitted with a twin bunk bed, a queen bed, plus a bonus twin in the loft.
This space is ideal for those who enjoy a communal vibe while maintaining comfort and affordability. The mainspace is outfitted with a California king bed and queen bed and a full size fridge. There is plenty of floor space where an air mattress can comfortably fit in for your larger party. The Studio Mainspace has ocean views from its picture window and a large lanai.
Bedroom #5 has a queen bed and a private entrance to the large bathroom that is shared with the studio mainspace. Accessed through the Studio Mainspace as it is on the ground floor.
Experience the magic of Hawaii with our unique Lanai Camping option. This outdoor sleeping experience offers a perfect blend of comfort and connection with nature. Must bring your own sleeping bags or bedding.
Unique Features:
The Lanai Camping option is ideal for those seeking an immersive tropical experience while still enjoying the comforts of the retreat. This package includes two workshop tickets ($1,980 value) plus the unique accommodation for just $600 more. It's perfect for adventurous souls who want to feel closer to nature without sacrificing access to all retreat amenities
By booking one of our rooms, you gain access to an elevated retreat experience that goes beyond the Workshops. Here’s what you can expect:
If you prefer to arrange your own accommodations but still want to participate in the weekend workshops and come enjoy the private farm and swim at the beach with us during the daytime, we’ve got you covered!
The ticket-only option includes:
A Space Designed for Connection and Reflection
Spaces are VERY Limited.
All Workshop Attendees, whether joining the Retreat as On-Site Guests or as Ticket-Only Attendees who have secured their own lodgings for the weekend, gain access to charting templates and more with our Midwifery Skills Retreat Companion Course.
Navigating the Retreat Experience
Important Dates and Details to Remember
How to Use this Course
GBS IAP
TXA
Oxytocin IV
Community Standards of Care
Documentation Standards and Requirements
Suturing Fundamentals
Post-Tests and Exit Survey
“It felt like a special invitation, something special to be a part of, a red carpet training.”
Chena Hunter-Lawrence
“PBI lives and the Professional Birth Assistant Online Program really helped me as a student midwife and now as a licensed and practicing midwife, I LOVE THEIR TRAININGS!!! CEUs and so many great hands-on skills for those sticky birth scenarios. I can't wait for the Hawaii retreat!!!”
Amariee Collins
“The IV and Emergencies Workshop was very in-depth and informative. It was well-structured and laid out. I am very excited to bring in and apply what I have learned this weekend back into my practice. Thanks Jess and Jenn!”
Amy Eisenhower
“The Advanced Neonatal Support Workshop took everything I thought I knew about NRP and made it crystal clear for the community setting. I learned so much about meconioum and neonatal respiratory distress that I didn't know before! ”
Evelyn Costas
Jessica Johnston, a powerhouse Certified Professional Midwife originally from Alaska, is revolutionizing maternal healthcare as co-founder of Pacific Birth Institute. Since 2018, she's been catching babies, empowering families, and transforming midwifery education through innovative programs that blend hands-on skills with accessible learning formats. Her vision is clear: train the next generation of birth workers to ensure every community has access to skilled, compassionate care. When she's not teaching PBI students or attending births, Jessica is advancing the field through national conference presentations, instructing at Midwifery Skills Days and Retreats, and developing curriculum and programs for midwifery universities and PBI offerings, making her a dynamic force in the excellence and evolution of community birth.
Jennifer Hoadley is a licensed Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Before foraying into the world of nurse midwifery, Jenn practiced as a nurse attending L&D and NICU in hospitals across Alaska and WA. A lot of you may not know this, but before she was a stellar out of hospital midwife, Jenn was the nurse in the hospital that the teams would call if there was a loss because she knew how to clean, wrap, and prepare a baby to be held for the first and last time by their parents and family. She is the kind of caring provider that knows how to hold space for both the beautiful and the heartbreaking and she does it impressively. Jenn is the midwife that serves the entirety of the Mat-Su, Anchorage, and Kenai Peninsula regions of Alaska (hundreds of miles of coverage area) as one of the sole CNMs to provide home VBACs and twin deliveries. She is the co-owner of Birds and Bees Midwifery and she provides excellent full spectrum women's care and gender affirming care and specialized support for members of the LBGTQIA+ community. Inside PBI, Jenn brings the data and research to the table for course development, writing our course content to make sure that it is always as up-to-date, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive so that we are helping communities support their birthing people and families best. As an ICAN award recipient for outstanding outcomes for community VBAC care and service, Jenn Hoadley trailblazes and helps establish the standards of midwifery care for VBAC in the community across the nation with CEU trainings, live webinars, conference speaking, and more.
The Workshop Only Attendee Ticket includes 15 CEUs, three workshops over three days, daily breakfast and lunch, daytime access to the private tropical farm grounds, and networking opportunities with fellow midwives. On-site accommodation packages also include a welcome dinner and exclusive evening gatherings. Dinner tickets are available for purchase for off-site Attendees who would like to join us the night before the Workshops begin.
You'll earn 15 CEUs by attending all three workshops. At the end of each workshop, you'll complete a brief post-test. At the end of the retreat, you will complete a reflection exit survey. Once that is complete, your CEU certificate is auto-generated and available in your PBI student dashboard with your Retreat Mini-Course.
The Retreat location is where all the workshops will be held Friday-Sunday. The retreat is held on a private tropical farm on the Big Island of Hawaii. The exact address will be provided closer to the event date. We recommend flying into Kona International Airport (KOA) and renting a car or arranging a rideshare for transportation to the venue.
We collaborate with local Hawaiian caterers to create vibrant, fresh, and island-inspired cuisine that caters to diverse dietary preferences. Our menu features locally sourced ingredients, with options for both vegan and omnivore attendees. If you have specific dietary restrictions, please contact us immediately at [email protected] so we can accommodate your needs.
Pack comfortable, casual clothing suitable for 80 degrees F on average warm weather, swimwear, sunscreen, and any personal items you'll need. For the workshops, bring a notebook and pen. If you're staying on-site, bedding is provided except for the Lanai Camping option.
To protect the sanctity of the retreat space for all midwives, there are no spouses, children, or non-workshop attendees invited to stay on-site. We are midwives who give to others daily. This space is for us to receive. The accommodation packages include two workshop tickets. Additional guests are welcome to stay in your room, but they would need to purchase a separate workshop ticket as all on-site guests must have a workshop ticket to stay on-site. If you want to bring your family and friends to Kona while you learn, that's fantastic! Staying off-site and purchasing a Workshop Attendee Only ticket is the plan for you!
To keep our administrative costs low and maintain affordable pricing for all attendees, we do not offer payment plans or refunds for the Midwifery Skills Retreat. However, we understand that circumstances can change. If you're unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket or room reservation to another person. Please note that it's your responsibility to handle any financial arrangements with the person taking your place and to inform us of the change. You may not exchange your purchase for a retreat package at a later date. We appreciate your understanding as this policy allows us to focus on delivering a high-quality educational experience in a stunning location.
Absolutely! The schedule is designed to balance learning with free time. Workshops are held in the mornings, leaving afternoons and evenings free for exploration, relaxation, and networking. Kona is an amazing island full of snorkeling, green sand beaches, and some of the best dining and shopping you can find in the islands. We hope everyone gets out and about each day with their new retreat friends to explore! In the Facebook group, you will have time to coordinate some excursions with each other before arriving to Kona
Come join us in January by booking today!
