If you call freshman Democratic Rep. Gregg Takayama’s state Capitol office, the first thing you hear is a word of caution: "Due to overwhelming call volume regarding the special session and same-sex marriage, we may be on the phone assisting other callers."
All across the state Capitol, lawmakers are reporting unprecedented community response as lawmakers prepare for Monday’s special session on gay marriage.
Although the issue has been controversial and in the news since 1996, the state appears finally to be taking definitive action — and that is provoking a reaction.
Legislators say they are all plowing through a deluge of emails and a constant hum of phone calls, mostly from members of the public opposed.
For 31 years, House Speaker Joe Souki has been a Democrat representing Maui. He says the same-sex marriage issue is "easily getting more calls" than any other issue he has ever seen.
"We have heard about same-sex for many years, but it is only now that people feel they will be affected by it," said Souki in an interview in his Honolulu office.
Over the years, Hawaii, like much of the country, has experienced a shift in tolerance and the issue of gay marriage does not reverberate with the same intensity, Souki said.
"Those who say marriage is between a man and a woman now see this is an issue that they cannot stop," Souki said, adding that he thinks if the Legislature does not act, then legal challenges will succeed.
He calls it the "inevitability of change."
It is better, Souki said, to have the Legislature draft a bill rather than have the courts dictate the law overturning Hawaii current law saying marriage is between a man and a woman.
"The polls used to be 70 percent against same-sex; now it is split 50-50," he added. The 80-year-old Roman Catholic has slowly come over to supporting gay marriage, but can see why the issue is drawing such attention from the public.
"To the public, there is a fear of the unknown, the whole paradigm shift of marriage is threatening to them," Souki said.
The political equation also troubles some Democrats. Those in Honolulu proper may not feel threatened by the same-sex marriage vote, but legislators representing rural districts may have a more difficult political question.
"In rural areas, everyone knows everyone, they knew each other since childhood; it is not like the city where people move in and out," said Souki. So one issue is not likely to have the same impact in a district with many competing needs, but, Souki noted, a vote on same-sex marriage still has the potential to be controversial.
For Souki, who voted against the civil unions bill in past legislative sessions, his vote next week is going to be with what he said will be a majority in favor of the bill.
In the last week, Souki said, the number of calls and emails has dropped as opponents study the proposed bill and see few alternatives.
"Hopefully opponents will see everyone as human beings — they go to work, live next door and I bet a lot go to their churches.
"These are people, not gargoyles," Souki said.
———
Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.
