DISAPPOINTMENT: A motion to pull the Hawaii civil unions bill from the deadlocked Senate Judiciary Committee failed this afternoon 18 to 6, effectively killing the measure. The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a 33-17 vote on February 12.
Sen. Gary Hooser, who made the motion to pull the bill from committee, urged support for the bill; however, opposition by Senate President Colleen Hanabusa helped convince senators to vote against bringing the bill to the floor.
“Today’s vote is a great disappointment for loving, committed Hawaiian lesbian and gay couples,” said Family Equality Coalition 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.”
Joe Solmonese issued this statement this afternoon:
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. 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.
In an AP story, Senate Judiciary Chairman Brian Taniguchi said there’s still hope that the bill could be amended and revived, but that probably wouldn’t happen until next year.
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