Being Civil In The Aloha State

Less than a year after Republican governor Linda Lingle vetoed a civil unions bill in Hawaii, Democrat Neal Abercrombie is now ready to sign the bill into law.

By a vote of 18-5, the chamber approved Senate Bill 232, legalizing civil unions in Hawaii.

The measure now goes to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who supports civil unions and has promised to sign the bill into law.

By law, the governor has 10 days from the time the bill reaches his desk to decide on the bill, putting his deadline on or about March 3.

The governor's office said details on the bill's signing were forthcoming. Abercrombie is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., next week for the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association from Feb. 26-28.

In a written statement, Abercrombie said civil unions "respect our diversity, protect people's privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha."

"This has been an emotional process for everyone involved, but that process is now ended," he added. "Everyone has been heard; all points of view respected.

"For me, this bill represents equal rights for all the people of Hawaii."

And while "anything can happen" is the mantra often heard among veteran Capitol watchers, most supporters seemed unworried.

"No concerns whatsoever," said Alan Spector, co-chairman of Equality Hawaii. "The bill is passed and Gov. Abercrombie has promised to sign it.

"It was one of his campaign promises. He supports this. We have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Once signed into law, couples would be able to enter civil unions starting Jan. 1.

Hawaii would become the seventh state to grant civil unions to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself. Five states and Washington, D.C., permit same-sex marriage.

It's a step in the right direction, and more and more states are taking them.