Brody's Notes... Hawaii Governor Signs Civil Unions Bill Into Law

Washington Place, Honolulu, Hawaii

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) FEB 23 | Appearing before a large crowd at the Washington Place, the last official residence of Hawaii's monarchy, Governor Neil Abercrombie, (D) told the crowd of supporters of the civil unions measure that signing the measure granting same-sex and heterosexual couples the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as marriage under state law, says to all the world that everyone is welcome.

“E Komo Mai: It means all are welcome,” Abercrombie said in remarks before signing the bill into law. This signing today of this measure says to all of the world that they are welcome. That everyone is a brother or sister here in paradise. The legalization of civil unions in Hawaii represents in my mind equal rights for all people,” he said.

The Governor paid special tribute to the state's legislative branch in particular the Judiciary committees of both houses after which point the crowd clapped enthusiastically in a show of mutual appreciation.

The governor acknowledged that the road to passage of the measure was difficult but that it showed that the very diversified nature of the islands was key to the success of the bill's passage.

He told the crowd that he was pleased that everyone that was involved had gotten to express their viewpoints and then invited the state's Lieutenant Governor, Brian Schatz, along with the Senate Majority Leader Shan Tsutsui, (D) and House Majority leader Blake Oshiro, (D) to join him at the desk for the bill's signature.  As he signed the bill Governor Abercrombie joked about the fact that he had common everyday variety pens to sign the measure which he said showed that there were no special interests involved.