Travel: Hawaii's Big Islands

On the Big Island, immense lava fields spread from volcanoes to sea (the island has two major volcanoes: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa). Beaches range from white to green to black. Emerald fields alternate with rocky crags for some of the state's most diverse topography. Rich Rubin leaves no stone unturned on this big kahuna of the islands for Passport.com.

Hurray for Hawaii!

Equality Hawaii, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization, yesterday congratulated the Hawaii Senate for passing a bill codifying prohibitions against discrimination in employment on the basis of gender identity by a 22 to 2 vote. The bill moves to Governor Abercrombie for his signature.

“The march towards full equality in the Aloha State continues,” said Alan Spector, Equality Hawaii Co-Chair.  “Providing employment protections to transgender citizens in Hawaii is a victory for civil rights and equal treatment under the law for all residents of our great state.”

“Following the passage of civil unions for Hawaii’s gay and lesbian residents, the enactment of employment protections for the state’s transgender people is another step forward in our fight towards equality in the Aloha State,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “No one should be denied employment possibilities because of who they are, regardless of their gender identity or expression.”

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Hawaii have worked closely together to build both public and legislative support for this legislation. Through this joint effort, thousands of phone calls, emails and handwritten letters have been sent to legislators urging them to approve this legislation.

Hawaii law already included these protections in Housing and Public Accommodations. Employment Protections based on sexual orientation were passed in 1991.

Hawaii set for final passage of civil unions bill

The Hawaii House of Representatives late last week passed a bill that would establish civil unions for same-sex couples, and the bill could gain final approval by the state Senate as early as today before heading to the governor's desk. The bill would provide couples in civil unions the same benefits, rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples. 

"Let today be that day where we move ever closer to justice for all," said openly gay State Rep. Blake Oshiro, who sponsored the bill.

Hawaii State House Approves Landmark Bill to Protect Same-Sex Couples

Equality Hawaii and the Human Rights Campaign on Friday applauded the Hawaii State House for passing SB 232 SD1 HD1 by a 31-19 vote.  The bill provides that equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state – including same-sex couples.

“Today is a great day for the people of Hawaii,” said Alan Spector, co-chair for Equality Hawaii.  “The action taken by the House today sends a strong message that our state recognizes the importance of moving towards equality.  Providing equal rights to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is long overdue and we thank all those who have stood with us to make this day a reality.”
After minor changes were made in the House, the bill now heads to back to the Senate for agreement on the amendments before heading to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature.  SB 232 SD1 passed the Hawaii Senate on January 28, by a 19-6 vote.  Except for some technical corrections and implementation amendments, the bill is identical to HB 444, the civil unions bill passed in 2010.  That bill passed the House and Senate with near supermajorities before Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed it.  No override vote was held.

“The Human Rights Campaign congratulates the Hawaii House of Representatives for overwhelmingly supporting the equal dignity and respect of Hawaii’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.  “No child of a same-sex family should have to grow up with less protections or thinking their family is less legitimate or loving than others.”

Hawaii State Senate Approves Civil Unions

Last Friday the Hawaii State Senate passed SB 232 by a 19-6 vote.  The bill provides that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be available to thousands of same-sex couples in the state.  The Senate now sends a strong message that the time is now to lay this issue to rest.

“For years we have strived to secure equal rights for all families in Hawaii and today we are one step closer to realizing that dream,” said Alan Spector, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii.  “We thank the Hawaii State Senate for recognizing the importance of this bill and for advancing the cause of equality in the Aloha State.”

Except for some technical corrections, SB 232 is identical to HB 444, the civil unions bill passed in 2010.  That bill passed the House and Senate, with near supermajorities, before Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed it.  No override vote was held.

“The Hawaii Senate has sent a strong message that discrimination against families headed by same-sex couples is wrong,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign.  “All people of Hawaii deserve to be treated with equal dignity and respect under the law, and no child should ever have to grow up feeling that their family is somehow less than that of their friends and neighbors.”

The legislation now moves to the state house for its consideration.  The house also has its own version of the bill, HB 1623, which incorporates updates to the previous bill.  The updated bill addresses concerns raised in 2010 over the implementation of civil unions.  The House may consider their own version, the Senate version or amend the senate bill to reflect their changes.  Action is expected to proceed in the House next week.  Following final passage, newly elected Governor Neil Abercrombie has pledged to sign the bill into law.

Prop. 8: New hope for Hawaii

Same-sex couples suing Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle for the right to enter into civil unions say the decision in the federal Proposition 8 lawsuit in California gives them hope that they, too, will win their case.

Governor Lingle Vetoes Civil Unions Bill

Yesterday, a coalition of leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations in Hawaii denounced Governor Linda Lingle (pictured) for vetoing HB 444, Hawaii’s Civil Union legislation. The bill provides that equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state – including same-sex couples. Coalition members include Equality Hawaii, the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG-Oahu and Pride Alliance Hawaii.

“Today is a sad day for the thousands of Hawaii families who remain second class citizens,” said Alan Spector, legislative affairs co-chair for Equality Hawaii. “We fail to see how the Governor’s actions are in the best interest of Hawaii’s future and are nothing more than political maneuvering at the expense of people’s lives. We’re disappointed and outraged that same-sex families will not be treated equally under Hawaii law, but vow to come back and fight this fight another day.”

“Today was the first time a civil unions bill passed both Houses in Hawaii by solid margins and was on the Governor’s desk for signing,” said Jo-Ann Adams, Chair of the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. “With such broad support from the legislators, who are the elected officials closest to the public, and the consistent results of the professional polls showing broad support for civil unions as a civil rights issue, we are deeply disappointed that the Governor ignored the will of the people and vetoed the bill. We are determined, no matter how many sessions and election cycles it takes, to achieve full recognition for our families.”

More after the jump. 
 “Americans nationwide share in the disappointment and outrage of thousands of Hawaii’s families who will not receive equal treatment under law,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Thankfully, there are local advocates as well as leaders in the Hawaii legislature who will continue to further the cause of equality. For decades, we have been a loyal partner in this fight for fairness in the Aloha State and we pledge to stand with them for years to come.”

“Today, on July 6, 2010, Gov. Linda Lingle denied social justice when she vetoed HB444 for Civil Unions,” said Rev. Carolyn M. Golojuch, President of PFLAG-Oahu. “Her denial is a violation of the integrity of her office and a violation of her oath of office. Governor Lingle’s denial of equal rights, benefits and protections for one segment of our citizens is a denial for all of our citizens of Hawaii.”

“The members of Pride Alliance Hawaii are greatly disappointed in Governor Lingle's decision to veto the Civil Unions bill and allow the state to continue its discriminatory practices against same-sex couples,” said Tara O’Neill, President of Pride Alliance Hawaii. “Two separate and independent economic studies, a poll conducted by a nationally recognized polling organization, and the thousands of residents who vocalized their support of the bill to the Governor and the Legislature over the past two years makes clear that the passage of HB444 is good economic sense, is socially just, and is supported by the people of Hawaii. The LGBT community's fight for equality in Hawaii will continue.”

The coalition has worked closely together since 2008 to build both public and legislative support for HB 444. Through this joint effort, tens of thousands of phone calls, emails, postcards and handwritten letters have been generated urging legislators and the Governor to approve this legislation.

At this time, five states and the District of Columbia recognize marriage for same-sex couples under state law: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Five states—California, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada—provide same-sex couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Hawaii, Colorado, Maine, Maryland and Wisconsin provide same-sex couples with limited rights and benefits. New York and Maryland recognize marriages of same-sex couples validly entered into outside of the jurisdiction. California recognized marriage by same-sex couples between June and November of 2008, before voters approved Proposition 8, which purports to amend the state constitution to prohibit marriage equality. Couples married during that window remain married under California law, but all other same-sex couples can only receive a domestic partnership within the state. The state will recognize out of state same-sex marriages that occurred before November 5, 2008 as marriages and those that occurred on or after November 5, 2008 as domestic partnerships. The Proposition 8 vote has been challenged in federal court; a decision from the trial court is expected this summer.

Same-sex couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. For an electronic map showing where relationship recognition for same-sex couples stands in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.


Hawaii State House Approves Civil Unions Bill

The Hawaii State House today passed HB 444 by a 31-20 vote. The bill provides that equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state – including same-sex couples. The bill now heads to Governor Linda Lingle for her consideration.

“Equality Hawaii is proud of the actions taken by the fair-minded majority in the Hawaii State House to pass HB 444,” said Alan Spector, legislative affairs co-chair for Equality Hawaii. “This bold declaration that all of Hawaii’s families should be treated equally under the law is commendable and long overdue. We thank all those who have worked long and hard in this struggle for equality and urge Governor Lingle to immediately sign this bill into law.”

Earlier this year, in a move chided by supporters and opponents alike, Speaker Calvin Say pushed through a motion to indefinitely postpone the bill. The final vote in the House came after supporters passed a motion to suspend the rules, allowing for a simple majority vote to consider the legislation. Without the suspension of the rules, the bill’s supporters would have needed a two-thirds majority vote to consider the legislation.

“The Human Rights Campaign congratulates the Hawaii House of Representatives for recognizing that all families in Hawaii need the same protections,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “We have been a partner with advocates for equality in the Aloha State for decades and today we celebrate this victory with them. We strongly urge Governor Lingle to sign this bill into law to protect all Hawaii’s families.”

The Human Rights Campaign has worked closely with Equality Hawaii since 2008 to build both public and legislative support for HB 444. Through this joint effort, thousands of phone calls, emails, postcards and handwritten letters have been generated urging legislators to approve this legislation. HRC and Equality Hawaii are launching action alerts to our members in the state encouraging them to urge the Governor to sign the bill. More on HRC’s work in Hawaii is at www.hrcbackstory.org/category/states/hawaii/.

The bill now moves to Governor Linda Lingle’s desk where she may sign the bill, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature after 45 days.

Hawaii State House refuses Civil Action Bill

Equality Hawaii, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, today denounced the Hawaii State House for failing to take up and pass HB 444 SD1, the state Civil Unions bill.  The bill would have provided that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii are afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state.  The House voted by voice vote to postpone the bill indefinitely, effectively killing the bill for the session.

“We’re sorely disappointed that the Hawaii State House refused to take action on the Civil Unions bill,” said Tambry Young, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii.  “Today, the House put its own political interests before the interests of Hawaii’s families and that’s bad policy and bad politics.  We pledge that this fight is not over, and we will continue in our efforts to see true equality in our state.”

The decision by the House comes on the heels of swift action in the Senate which saw the bill pass by an 18-7 vote on January 22.  House Speaker Calvin Say suggested earlier in the week that the House may not be willing to reconsider the bill if the majority could not garner enough votes to override a possible veto from the Governor.  The Governor has never made a veto threat on the topic of Civil Unions.

“We’re stunned that the Hawaii State House would act contrary to their previous position of strongly supporting this bill,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign.  “We thank all those who advocate for equality in the Aloha State, especially our friends in the legislature and with Equality Hawaii.  We have been a proud partner with Hawaii’s fair-minded residents for decades and will continue to stand by their side in the struggle for equality.”

“This fight is not over and we will ultimately prevail,” said Alan Spector, Legislative Affairs Co-Chair for Equality Hawaii.  “It is simply unfathomable that politics and election considerations would supersede honor, integrity and common-sense.  Today, these Representatives did not represent their constituent’s families – shame on them.”

Civil Unions bill killed in Hawaii State Senate

The Family Equality Coalition, a Hawaii-based organization dedicated to securing equal marriage rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization with more than 2,500 supporters in Hawaii, released a statement yesterday regarding the state Senate’s rejection of legislation that would have allowed civil unions for lesbian and gay couples statewide. The bill failed on the vote to pull the bill from committee by a margin of 18 to six.

“Today’s vote is a great disappointment for loving, committed Hawaiian lesbian and gay couples,” said Family Equality Coaltion Co-Chair Alan Spector. “We share the sadness of all who hoped this vote would go differently and that the state would take a step toward equality for all Hawaiians.”

More after the jump.


“Today’s vote helps no one in the state of Hawaii. It protects no one’s marriage. It grants dignity to no couple’s relationship. It does nothing to ensure that all families receive the equal rights and responsibilities they deserve. But no one is giving up,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “The Human Rights Campaign is proud to have partnered with the Family Equality Coalition on behalf of this critical legislation. It has been a long, hard struggle for couples and families in Hawaii who simply want equal rights, and this effort continues, as it does across the nation.”

The legislation, which previously passed the House of Representatives by a 33-17 vote, would have permitted gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions and receive the rights, benefits, and responsibilities under Hawaii law that are granted to spouses. Couples who enter into a civil union would not receive any rights, benefits, or responsibilities under federal law.

Hawaii does not permit gay or lesbian couples to marry. Hawaii law currently permits couples prohibited from marrying in the state to enter into reciprocal beneficiary relationships and receive limited rights and benefits, not all the rights and responsibilities provided to married couples under state law.

In addition to Hawaii, nine states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples. Massachusetts and Connecticut recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples under state law. Five other states—California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont—plus Washington, D.C. provide gay and lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Maine and Washington provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples. New York recognizes marriages by gay and lesbian couples validly entered into outside of New York.




Hawaii deadlocks on Civil Unions Bill

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights group, issued a statement today regarding a vote in Hawaii’s state Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee early this morning on a pending civil unions bill. The committee deadlocked at 3-3 on the bill, but it still may advance to the Senate floor for a vote.

“Today’s vote means that the question now is whether nine of 25 state Senators agree that this important legislation, which would simply grant basic rights and protections to all committed couples and families in Hawaii, should go to a floor vote before the whole Senate.” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “We hope that they do agree to recall the bill from committee and that it passes the Senate and is enacted into law.”

Read more after the jump.


Hawaii’s state constitution permits the Senate president to recall the bill from committee so that it may receive a floor vote before the full Senate. One-third of the Senate, or nine of its 25 members, would have to agree to recall the bill 20 days from now in order for it to receive a floor vote.

The legislation, which has already passed the House of Representatives by a 33-17 vote, would permit gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions and receive the rights, benefits, and responsibilities under Hawaii law that are granted to spouses. Couples who enter into a civil union would not receive any rights, benefits, or responsibilities under federal law.

Hawaii does not permit gay or lesbian couples to marry. Hawaii law currently permits couples prohibited from marrying in the state to enter into reciprocal beneficiary relationships and receive limited rights and benefits, not all the rights and responsibilities provided to married couples under state law.

In addition to Hawaii, 10 states plus Washington, D.C. have laws providing at least some form of state-level relationship recognition for gay and lesbian couples. Massachusetts and Connecticut recognize marriage for gay and lesbian couples under state law. Five other states—California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont—plus Washington, D.C. provide gay and lesbian couples with access to the state level benefits and responsibilities of marriage, through either civil unions or domestic partnerships.

Maine and Washington provide gay and lesbian couples with limited rights and benefits, not all the rights provided to married couples. New York recognizes marriages by gay and lesbian couples validly entered into outside of New York.

Gay and lesbian couples do not receive federal rights and benefits in any state. To learn more about state by state legislation visit: www.hrc.org/state_laws.