From: johnf@uhheph.phys.hawaii.edu (John Flanagan)
Subject: Hawaii Marriage News Update
Date: Fri, 7 May 1993 06:50:39 GMT

My summary of the local newscasts from tonight: 

According to Vanessa Chong, a representative of the ACLU, the ACLU is
asking the Hawaii State Attorney General to accept the court's ruling,
and begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  According to
Margaret, the state faces a nearly impossible burden if it proceeds
with the case, and will only waste money while denying same-sex
couples' civil rights.

However, the state's Attorney General, Robert Marks, has stated that
he does not intend to give in so quickly.  "The case is being
oversold, and we intend to pursue this issue," he stated.  He said
that there are issues yet to be addressed.  When asked what those
might be, he refused to specify, but did mention wanting to examine
the economic impact.

Meanwhile, the local Social Security representative is looking into
the federal tax implications of same-sex marriages.

All in all, the local news stations have run very sympathetic stories
on the issue, with lots of interviews with the couples, and talking
about the negative impact that being denied marriage rights has had on
people.

My personal view:

Well, the AG didn't just roll over and accept the inevitable.  Damn.
However, this most likely means at most a two-year or so delay.  And I
still hold out hope that after consultations with his staff, he will
realize that he _can't_ present a compelling state's interest in
denying the licenses.  The Supreme Court will _not_ accept economic
impact as a justification for denying civil rights -- besides which,
it is not entirely clear whether the economic impact will be positive
or negative.

This economic impact argument is pure politics, and seems likely to be
a loser in the courts.  The Attorney General surely knows this.  My
guess is that public opinion could have an impact on his decision
on how hard to push -- the idea being that if the courts force him to
grant the licenses, then _he_ doesn't have to take the heat for it.
I would urge people to call the state attorney general, as well as the
governor, and let them know how much they stand to gain in the way of
wedding/honeymoon tourism if same-sex marriages are legalized here.

The Attorney General's phone number is:  (808) 586-1500.

Also, here are some other relevant numbers, courtesy of Michael Lax:

808-586-0034 -	Governor John D. Waihee, III 		
		State Capitol, 5th Floor
 		Honolulu, HI  96813 
808-586-0006 -	Governor's fax
808-539-4910 -	Judiciary 
808-539-4919 -	HI Supreme Court 
		P. O. Box 2560
 		Honolulu, HI  98604 
808-539-4928 -	HI Supreme Court fax

My personal advice would be to sweet-talk these people as much as
possible.  If you come across as obnoxious, they will blow you off
as just another arrogant Mainlander.  Tell them how much you'd _love_
to get married and take your honeymoon in Hawaii.  Money talks, and
the hotels aren't doing too well these days.

Keep hope alive!

Mahalo,