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PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA
20111116-56 CTY CIVIL UNIONS The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOE) announced the states's upcoming civil union on-line application process is scheduled to be activated on Jan. 1, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. This is the DOH state registrar, Dr Alvin Onaka (left) and Tambry R.Young (on the Civil Union legislative task force sub-committee - communication, education and training) describing the efficient on-line process. PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. NOV. 16, 2011.
An online process for handling civil unions applications is set to go live just after midnight on Jan. 1, the state Department of Health announced today.
Couples would be able to apply and pay for a license starting at that time, while civil union performers also would be able to apply for a solemnization license through the online site, said Dr. Alvin Onaka, state registrar.
Because Act 1 — the law allowing civil unions — does not take effect until Jan. 1, couples would not be allowed to take care of the paperwork in advance.
The law allows all couples — same-sex and heterosexual — to enter into a civil union, a legal status with all the rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities as traditional marriage.
"We will be ready at midnight on January 1 with an accurate and efficient online process that will serve the public well for submitting applications, paying fees, registering events and receiving their certificates for civil unions," Onaka said.
