LINK: Live Stream of Hearings

LINK: Hearing Announcement

Your continued action is making a difference in Hawaii!

From Hawaii Family Forum November 1, 2013 

Thank you to all of you who have remained vigilant. The testimonies have been both phenomenal and historical.  We understand that the readiness that this campaign demands is making us all weary and your efforts are truly appreciated and have not gone unnoticed by the legislature.  By all accounts, tonight's hearing was successful - the hearing continued on through the five o'clock hour which was the golden time for people getting off work and coming over to the Capitol.

The good news is that the hearing has been extended because all the people who have signed up to testify, and received numbers, have not had the opportunity to verbally testify.  We are not surprised because over five thousand people submitted testimony.  That is absolutely fantastic news because the overwhelming majority is in opposition.

Please make plans to spend as much time as possible at the capitol grounds tomorrow (Saturday) since the hearing will again be continuing all day and into the night.  See the information below.

Come prepared to stay from as early as 8 a.m. to as late as 10:00 p.m. because we need to have a HUGE presence at the capitol tomorrow, even if you are not going to testify tomorrow.   Bring food for your family, games and things to do for kids, tents/shade covers, and lanterns for evening after dark.  WEAR DARK BLUE!

HEARING INFORMATION

SATURDAY FAMILY PICNIC/RALLY

Saturday presents the opportunity to picnic around the Capitol, should you wish to participate, creating a comfortable place for fellowship and to wait for your number to be called.  Bring food and drinks since weekend dining in Downtown is slim-pickings.

Let The People Decide is organizing a sign-waving rally, so in addition to waiting for your number to be called, there will be other activities to do so that we can try to defeat SB 1.  Email us for more information.

We must continue to raise our voices.  Mahalo for all your hard work.

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URGENT! 

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Special Session Update

From House Republican Caucus  November 1, 2013

UPDATE: Schedule announced for all remaining testifiers
The committee has announced the below schedule for everyone who has registered but not yet delivered testimony.
Please keep in mind that when the hearing first opened this morning (Friday), many testifiers were initially skipped because they had not yet arrived at the Capitol Auditorium. It is very important that you arrive on time to ensure your opportunity to testify.

Friday, November 1 (Tonight)

The committee will hear testifiers with numbers up to 3,999 or until 10:00 p.m., whichever comes first.

Saturday, November 2, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The committee will resume hearing testimony in numerical order through the end of the list (number 5,181). After that, testifiers who missed their first chance to testify will have another opportunity to do so.

The pace of all remaining testimony is unknown, so it is highly recommended that every testifier pays close attention to the progress of the hearing. The hearing airs on Olelo (Channel 55) and streams live on the web at this link.
More updates will follow as necessary. Thank you to the thousands of people who have already submitted testimony and those still waiting to participate.

Capitol District Public Parking Locations for Testifiers - Interactive Map

Due to the large numbers of testifiers expected at both public hearings this week, carpooling and drop-offs are highly recommended. Details regarding parking locations, rates and time limits can be found at the interactive map at this link.
To view details on each parking location, simply zoom in on Honolulu and click on the blue dots surrounding the State Capitol (located at 415 S Beretania Street).
Information on each location is also shown in list form below the map.

How was your testifying experience on Senate Bill 1? Tell us on Twitter at #iwanttransparency

Thousands of individuals and organizations have submitted written testimony and visited the state Capitol in person to share their views on Senate Bill 1.
In many cases, efforts to speed things along have created an even more rushed and closed process than expected. Evolving procedural expectations set by both the Senate and House committees this week have caused confusion and frustration by interested testifiers. This is proof that the people of Hawaii need more time to participate than this special session is allowing.

If you have testified, did you have enough time to speak your mind?
Are you satisfied with the process of this special session?
Use the Twitter hashtag #iwanttransparency to share your experience with state leaders.

We want to give you a chance to be heard. You have the right to fully participate in the legislative process – and that includes having ample time to review legislation, prepare testimony, make arrangements to visit the Capitol, and deliver sufficient testimony in person.

Summary of Same-Sex Marriage Legislation - Senate Bill 1
What would this bill do?

• Legalize same-sex marriage in Hawaii and give same-sex married couples the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of opposite-sex married couples, including parentage rights.

• Religious organizations that make a profit by allowing the general public to use their facilities or grounds for marriage ceremonies (This bill does not attempt to explain what would be considered "profit.");
• Small business owners who are asked to personally provide marriage-related services such as planning, food catering, photography, etc.;
• Government employees who would be processing same-sex marriage applications; and
• Judges who are asked to officiate at a same-sex marriage ceremony.

• Religious solemnizers who are licensed by the State to perform marriage ceremonies, including clergy, ministers, priests and rabbis, among others; and
• Religious organizations that do not profit by allowing the general public to use its facilities or grounds for marriage ceremonies and those that merely accept donations from the public, provide religious services to the public, or otherwise allow the public to enter their premises.