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Maui County
Senate Kills Civil Union Bill
Only six lawmakers vote to bring HB444 to the floor

by Jacob Shafer

April 02, 2009

Last week, the state Senate defeated by an 18-6 margin a motion to pull HB444—a hotly contested piece of legislation that would have legalized same-sex civil unions statewide—onto the floor for a full vote. The move effectively killed the bill, which was stalled in the Judiciary Committee.

Despite the fact that most had previously expressed support for HB444, 16 Democrats joined the Senate's two Republicans in the "nay" column. Six Democrats backed the effort; nine votes were needed.

Asked why they changed course, many—including Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, whose stance surely influenced other members of her party—claimed their votes were cast out of respect for the committee process. 

Excuse us while we pause to scoff.

For the real reason behind lawmakers' change of heart, look no further than the cheer that reportedly erupted from the gallery when the results of the vote were announced. It emanated from a well-organized coalition, spurred into action by churches and other organizations opposed to same-sex civil unions. Senators saw the writing on the wall, realized that the forces opposed to HB444 were more vocal and organized than those in support, and got cold feet. They backpedaled. They flip-flopped. 

And now they have the gall to claim it's out of respect for the committee process? Please. We won't pretend to be able to read the innermost thoughts of Hawaii's elected representatives, but we know a blatant bit of political cover when we see it.

Of course, HB444 may be dead, but the issue is not. The gay community isn't going away, nor is its struggle for equality. The day will come, we still firmly believe, when this new civil rights movement will result in a just outcome; when logic and fairness will defeat bigotry and ignorance. And when that day arrives, there will be people who stood on the side of justice and people who didn't.

Let's not forget to cheer those who had the rectitude to follow their conscience, and to jeer the fearful souls who in the end lacked both courage and foresight. MTW

How they voted:

Here's a look at which Senators opposed and which supported the attempt to bring HB444 up for a full vote (Maui officials are in bold):

OPPOSED

Robert Bunda (D)

Will Espero (D)

Mike Gabbard (D)

Brickwood Galuteria (D)

Josh Green (D)

Colleen Hanabusa (D)

Clayton Hee (D)

Fred Hemmings (R)

David Ige (D)

Donna Mercado Kim (D)

Russell Kokubun (D)

Clarence Nishihara (D)

Norman Sakamoto (D)

Sam Slom (R)

Dwight Takamine (D)

Brian Taniguchi (D)

Jill Tokuda (D)

Shan Tsutsui (D)

SUPPORTED

Roz Baker (D)

Suzanne Chun Oakland (D)

Carol Fukunaga (D)

Gary Hooser (D)

Les Ihara (D)

Michelle Kidani (D)

NOTE: J. Kalani English (D) was absent