Emotions rule as advocates, opponents voice their views

Thousands of people gathered on the state Capitol grounds Monday evening to demand that lawmakers let the people decide how to define marriage, waving signs along Beretania Street that read "God Created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve," "1 Kane 1 Wahine" and "Honk for traditional marriage."

A band kicked off the "Let the People Decide" rally at 4 p.m. with Christian songs as well as pop favorites such as Percy Sledge’s "When a Man Loves a Woman," Etta James’ "At Last," and the 1999 hit "Kiss Me."

As people were dropped off by the busload, the Capitol took on a festival feel, with kids playing soccer and families setting up folding chairs and blankets on the Capitol lawn, and many others carrying backpacks with cameras draped around their necks.

The throng of sign-holders and chanters opposing same-sex marriage dwarfed a morning gathering of gay marriage advocates.

More than 100 supporters of same-sex marriage, most donning rainbow lei, held a rally about 9 a.m. before legislators started a special session to consider a proposed measure that would legalize same-sex marriage in Hawaii.

While the opposing groups showed their solidarity by dressing in different shades of blue, both sides spoke to the same ideals that run deep in the isles: aloha, ohana, being pono (correct) and protecting keiki.

Many against same-sex marriage were quick to mention children as their reason for opposing the bill, especially their concern that legalizing marriage for gay couples would alter what is taught to students in school.

"It’s not good for the young kids," Janell Ahnee of Waipahu said during the evening rally. "Because I have two kids and if I was to go that way I wouldn’t want my kids saying, ‘OK, Mommy’s, you know, that way, and OK, it’s OK for me to go turn.’"

Benjamin Kahalepo of Kalihi, who attended the rally with his white Chihuahua terrier, Kiki, said he doesn’t want to have to explain to his grandchildren why gay couples are free to be intimate with each other in public.

"Traditional marriage means one man and one woman," Kahalepo said. "We gonna have to teach them (children) about this same-sex marriage and it’s going to change from lawmakers all the way down to DOE (Department of Education) all the way down to family values."

Gay marriage supporters, on the other hand, say allowing everyone to marry is pono and will spread the spirit of aloha.

"We need to speak loudly to make clear what this bill is about, what equality is about and why this is the right thing to do, not only for today but for our next generation," state Rep. Chris Lee (D, Lanikai-Waimanalo), a supporter of gay marriage, said at the morning rally. "A lot of folks say that we haven’t had enough debate on this, but it’s up to us to go to our legislators, to go to the public and remind everybody that we’ve ultimately been debating this since the time that I was about 9 years old."

Clergy in support of gay marriage at the morning rally read lines from Dr. Martin Luther King’s pledge of nonviolence that he took with marchers in 1963, including the vow to sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free.

"We do not buy into that story that’s being propagated out there that people of faith are against marriage equality," said the Rev. Jonipher Kupono Kwong, minister of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu. "This is living proof that — obviously not."

Jo-Ann Adams, chairwoman of the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party, said letting people vote on the definition of marriage is not the answer.

"Do you think it’s going to be a fair vote? How can you think it’s going to be a fair vote? It wasn’t before. Helloooo! We’ve been there!" Adams shouted.

Sen. Roz Baker (D, Honokohau-Makena) echoed that sentiment.

"A lot of people don’t remember what it was we voted on back in 1998," she said. "We voted to reserve that to the Legislature, and the Legislature as the elected representatives of the people in this state — that’s what we’re going to do."

A constitutional amendment that year gave the Legislature the power to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

Senators heard testimony for the entire day regarding Senate Bill 1, which would legalize marriage for gay people. On Thursday community members will have a chance to speak before House lawmakers.

Those against the bill contend that holding a special session undermines the democratic process.

"I really see that they’re trying to fast-forward this bill and not giving the public an opportunity to be a part of the process," Ellie Kapihe, a pastor at Windward Missionary Church, said after saying a few words on stage at the evening rally.

Kapihe said legislators shouldn’t try to make Hawaii like other nations and states that have legalized gay marriage because "by doing that, I think, I really believe, that we’re giving up our ancient traditions and core values."

He added, "We welcome all people in Hawaii, that’s part of our culture, but another part of our culture is that you never impose your own beliefs and practices into the person who is hosting you. If this bill passes, then it legislates their lifestyle and their beliefs over the whole land, and that will infringe upon our religious freedoms and rights and it will prohibit us from having a conscience and preaching or making a statement of what we believe."