32 of 51 House members back gay civil unions
Same-sex couples who obtain a license could have their civil union performed by a judge, retired judge or member of the clergy. Partners who enter into civil unions would have the same rights, benefits and protections under state law as married couples. The state would also recognize civil unions, domestic partnerships or same-sex marriages validly performed in other states.
State Sen. Mike Gabbard, D-19th (Kapolei, Makakilo, Waikele), and state Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), are opposed. Gabbard was among the leaders in the movement against same-sex marriage in the 1990s. "The people of Hawai'i, we decided this issue 10 or 11 years ago, when 70 percent of the people voted against same-sex marriage," he said. "And, to me, civil unions is same-sex marriage with a different name."
read more ...
OHA Brief In Ceded Lands Case
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has filed its Brief for the Respondents in the "ceded lands" case....
read more ...
Lawyers seek to restrict competitors
The bar association resubmitted the proposal after a draft raised an outcry last year from real estate agents, insurance companies, paralegals and others who claimed it would essentially outlaw the services they provide clients. Sia has maintained that the reason for the proposal is not greed among lawyers to guard their turf, but the protection of the public.
read more ...
SB: Hawaii's small businesses sustain half of private jobs
Most of Hawaii's small businesses with fewer than 500 employees are in professional, scientific and technical services, as well as retail, construction, health care and social assistance. In all, Hawaii had 116,236 small businesses in 2006, 25,883 of which had less than 500 employees, while 90,353, had no employees. A total of 840 businesses that year had more than 500 employees in the state.
read more ...
SB: Musician gets 14 years for meth possession
Daniels, 34, is known as J.D., half of the local reggae/hip-hop group Big Every Time, or B.E.T. Friends and relatives wept as Gillmor ordered U.S. marshals to take Daniels into custody. Daniels wailed during the sentencing. Gillmor sentenced two other men to 185 months in prison each for their roles in the case.
read more ...
Kaua`i hotel rape coverup
LIHU‘E — The rumored sexual assault of a female guest at a Kaua‘i hotel last weekend has spurred an investigation by the Kaua‘i Police Department....Asher declined to identify the hotel in question, but separate anonymous tips received by The Garden Island specified that the incident had taken place at either the Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort in Lihu‘e or ResortQuest Aloha Beach Hotel Kaua‘i in Kapa‘a.....Representatives of both hotels were reached by phone Friday and said no sexual assault had been reported at their hotels.
(Protect tourism first, then catch rapist if we get a chance....)
read more ...