It's been a long time coming, but the Hawaii Civil Union bill, now known as Act 1, went into law on January 1, 2012. heterosexual and same-sex couples can now legally enter into civil unions in the State of Hawaii.
For almost 20 years, the issue of same-sex marriage and civil unions has been debated in Hawaii, in the legislature, in the courts and in a public referendum. For an ever so brief period back in the mid 1990's, same-sex marriage looked like it would become the law of the land, but such was not to be when the people of Hawaii voted to define marriage as limited to a man and a woman.
Undaunted by the length of time, supporters of a legal standing and rights for heterosexual and same-sex couples, finally prevailed when Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law Act 1 on February 23, 2011.
We have completed two features, one of which traces the history and legal background of civil unions in Hawaii and the other which explains how the new law works and how couples can plan a civil union in Hawaii.
Civil Unions in Hawaii - A Historical Perspective