Hawaii lawmakers cautious on future of civil union bill

(Honolulu, Hawaii) A bill that would allow civil unions for same-sex couples remains stalled in committee with Senate leaders uncertain how to move forward.

Last month, after 15 hours of hearings, the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee tied 3-3 on whether to advance the bill to the full Senate.

Senate leaders …

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Civil union proposals would be designed to give gay couples the same rights as married couples, said Majority Leader Rep. Blake Oshiro, D-Aiea-Halawaii.

“It’s always been about equality and equal rights,” Oshiro said.

Civil unions have broader support from labor unions and some religious groups this year than in the past, said Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-Waipahu-Waikele, the new House Judiciary Committee chairman who will hear the bill.

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Forbes – NY,USA