LINGLE, AIONA PUT HAWAII OVER SPECIAL INTERESTS

HONOLULU—Chairman Jonah Ka'auwai responded to Governor Lingle’s veto of House Bill 444 this afternoon:

“Today is an important day for the people of Hawai'i.  HB 444 catered to those seeking to establish the equivalent of same-sex marriage and it ignored the will of Hawai'i’s citizens. 

“It is clear that a Hannemann or Abercrombie Administration would have signed the bill into law against the people of Hawai`i who believe in traditional marriage.

“Lt. Governor Duke Aiona is the only candidate for Governor that has the character to stand up to this kind of special interest legislation.  He made his stance on this issue clear from the beginning despite the political controversy.  This principled leadership is exactly what Hawai'i needs during these troubling times.

“Democrat legislators pushed to bring this bill back to life on the last day of the legislative session, but where are those arrogant legislators today?  Speaker Calvin Say is afraid to call a special session because his unstable rule over the House of Representatives is in jeopardy and he wants to avoid an attempt by dissident Democrats to overthrow him.  At least Senate President Colleen Hanabusa is willing to stand by her support of HB 444 and call the Senate back into session.

“Actions by Democrats in the State Legislature clearly display that Democrats have no vision for Hawai'i and are too bogged down with internal party power grabs to address the real issues facing our state.  In November, voters will have the opportunity to elect principled Republicans who are dedicated to innovative solutions to our state’s problems, not gaining and retaining political power.

“Hawai'i Republicans voted near unanimously at this year’s convention to urge Gov. Lingle to veto this bill.  We are clearly the only party who will stand up to protect traditional marriage in Hawai'i.”

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