Marriage equality here put on hold

There’s disappointment among marriage-equality advocates about the fact that the Legislature has tabled efforts to enable same-sex marriage in Hawaii.

One theory circulating: Lawmakers are wary about sticking out their necks for a measure that essentially would yield no more benefits.

That’s because the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) asserts that only heterosexual couples have access to federal benefits of marriage. So, only if DOMA falls or is struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court (a ruling may come down in June on two cases) will the distinction between Hawaii civil unions and marriage have legal weight.

Prediction: Attention will turn from the state Capitol to Congress and the public — and all eyes will be riveted on the Supreme Court a few months from now.

Take me out to the ballgame

Spring training for professional baseball starts late next week, but college baseball is already under way, with the first game of the University of Hawaii’s Rainbows taking place tonight at Les Murakami Stadium.

The team is going up against the No. 6-ranked Oregon Ducks, which should make for an exciting series of games. Other powerhouses the ‘Bows will face this year include Rice (20), UCLA (5), Cal State Fullerton (23) and UC Irvine (No. 30).

Expectations for the Rainbows are high, and there’s hardly a better deal in town than to see them at a homegame.

Plus it’s the last season they will actually be the ‘Bows; as of July 1, they will be renamed the UH Warriors, just like the UH football team.