A great victory for traditional marriage was won when the Senate failed to pull HB 444 by a vote of 18 to 6. A total of 9 votes were needed to pull the bill. Although it was believed that the bill had the votes needed to be pulled from committee, the overwhelming opposition led by the Christian Churches and community leaders gave God a great victory.
White, black, red, yellow people of all ethnicity rallied to oppose the bill. Senators were innundated with opposition through phone calls, emails and office visits. People also prayed and God answered their prayers.
Although the vast majority of the populace opposed HB444, Sen. Gary Hoosier stubbornly tried to have the bill pulled out of committee to support and legitimize homosexuality. Five other Senators supported him. They were Sens. Les Ihara, Carol Fukunaga, Suzanne Chun Oakland, Michelle Kidani and Rosalyn Baker. Please remember their names in the upcoming elections in 2010.
The battle will continue to be fought as the gays and lesbians have stated they will continue the fight. Although HB444 was not pulled out of committee, a surprising number of Democratic Senators and Representatives support the bill and legitimizing homosexuality in Hawaii.
The Hawaii Christian Calition will continue to be vigilant and start preparing to install God fearing candidates in the upcoming elections.
Garret Hashimoto
State Chairman, Hawaii Christian Coalition