Aloha,
The struggle for LGBT rights in Hawai`i - America's most diverse state - has been surprisingly long, difficult, and contentious, as I've documented from time to time.
Today, the Aloha State took a major step forward, as the State House of Representatives passed a strong civil unions bill on the last day of the 2010 legislative session. The bill now goes to Governor Linda Lingle for her signature. Please take a moment to contact her and ask her to sign HB444. Whether you're a Hawai`i resident, a past visitor, or a potential future visitor, your comments would be helpful. Please follow me below for contact and additional information.
Here's Gov. Lingle's website:
http://hawaii.gov/...
And here are her phone and fax numbers:
Phone: (808) 586-0221 or (808) 586-0222
Fax: (808) 586-0019
This is her last year in office. She hasn't announced plans to run for another office. Signing the civil unions bill in the last days of her tenure could be a great way to varnish her legacy. Though she's a typically conservative Republican on most issues, she has some moderate tendencies on some issues. She once signed a pro-choice bill, and she's appointed a strong environmentalist to head the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources. And she's never actually announced a position on civil unions. So, it's possible that she'll sign the bill.
It's also imperative that she either sign the bill or let it become law without her signature. The bill didn't pass with enough votes to override a veto.
As I've mentioned before, Hawai`i is probably the most tourism-dependent state in the nation. So, Hawai`i government officials generally care about the state's image as perceived by non-residents more than their counterparts in other states. After a long decline, tourism appears to be back on the upswing. But everyone in government and tourism, is still jittery. The concerns of visitors are heard. If you'd be more likely to vacation in Hawai`i if the state has a strong civil unions law, please let her know. And if you'd be less likely to visit if she vetoes the bill, please let her know that too.
I do hope the bill will become law, and you'll be highly enthused to visit the culturally and environmentally beautiful Hawaiian Islands. As my way of thanking you for reading this diary and contacting the Governor, I'm happy to provide a link to a great website with invaluable travel tips:
http://beatofhawaii.com/
Mahalo!