Hawaii
Relationship Recognition Information
| no | Licenses marriages for same-sex couples. |
| no | Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions. |
| yes | Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: Reciprocal Beneficiaries. |
- 1999 Anti-marriage bill blocked. Senate Bill 321 introduced by Senator Les Ihara. Seems to be a place-holder for a possible restriction on marriage following the constitutional amendment. Failed to advance before the internal legislative deadlines.
House Bill 775 introduced by Judiciary Committee chair Paul Oshiro. Would deny same-sex couples the freedom to marry that the equal protection guarantees of the Hawaii constitution seemed to mandate. Failed to advance before the internal legislative deadlines.
House Bill 717 introduced by Rep. Kenny Goodenows. Would remove the government from the “marriage business,” allowing different-sex and same-sex couples to contract “registered partnerships” under law, while reserving “marriage” for religious or personal use. Failed to advance before the internal legislative deadlines. - 1998 The state’s Constitution was amended to say “The legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.” See Hawaii Revised Statutes Article I § 23.
- 1997 Reciprocal Beneficiaries Law
Employment Information
| yes | Private employment protections based on sexual orientation. |
| no | Private employment protections based on gender identity. |
| yes | Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation. |
| - | Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity. |
See Hawaii Revised Statutes §368-1 (2005), HRS §378-2 (2005), HRS §368-1 (2005) and HRS §378-2 (2005).
Parenting Information
| Who May Adopt | Any adult or married persons petitioning jointly. Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 578-1. |
|---|---|
| Second Parent Adoptions | Generally resistant, but lower courts have in recent years approved at least three adoptions. |
Cases
Joseph O’Leary and Phi Ngo v. The University of Hawaii
Lawsuit alleging that the university discriminated against same-sex couple by rejecting their application for family housing.
Baehr v. Miike
Pioneering case seeking the right to marry for same-sex couples in Hawaii
