Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 18:01:25 -1000
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey)
Subject: HAWAII NOV 4

              THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT IS CLEARING OUT
		         SOME OF ITS BACKLOG
	     
Martin Rice of Kauai provided the information on which this message
is based (Martin is very active in politics, especially as a member of
the State Central Committee of Hawaii's Democratic Party).

"The Hawai`i Supreme Court has served notice that it will issue a decision
(Case No. 19765) on a 1995 request by eight Hawai`i House of Representative
members who sued to enjoin the state as defendants in Baehr v. Miike
.....This decision will be made without hearing oral arguments, and the
decision can be expected to be announced next month (November '97)."
Note added by Tom Ramsey:  the eight legislators wanted to be co-defendants
with the state in Baehr v Miike, and present their own case against
same-gender marriage as opposed to having the Attorney General represent
them.  So far, the AG's office has represented the state and the state
includes the legislature.

"There is still, as of this date, no timetable available regarding the
decision on the State's appeal of Judge Chang's December 1996 order to issue
marriage licenses to the three same-gendered couples (Case No. 20371).  To
be certain, same-gender marriage is currently legal in the State of Hawai`i,
but the state is not required to issue those licenses under the stay of
execution ordered by Judge Chang, during which time his decision is reviewed
by the Hawai`i Supreme Court."

					Best Regards,


					Tom Ramsey
					Ex-officio, Marriage Project Hawaii
					

P.S.  As we all await the Hawaii Supreme Courts decisions, those opposed to
same-gender marriage are planning an intense campaign for the November 1998
election.  On the ballot is a proposed constitutional amendment that would
overturn the Baehr v. Miike court case by giving the legislature the power to
limit marriage to heterosexual couples.  The campaign against us will be at
least a factor of ten greater than what we've faced so far.

      How can you help?  Donations to continue Baehr v. Miike can be sent
to
	Marriage Project Hawaii 
        PO Box 11690
	Honolulu HI 96828
	
to pay Dan Foley's fees, support the court case, do limited lobbying, and
public education.  Donations to Marriage Project Hawaii are fully tax-deductible.

	Donations to fight political campaigns are NOT tax deductible
and may be sent to
	Friends of Marriage Project Hawaii
	PO Box 11690
	Honolulu HI 96828
Friends of Marriage Project Hawaii also has a 900 number (1-900-97-MARRY) for
donations that can be billed to the calling phone number (must be 18+; phone
charge limited to $25). 

	Marriage Project Hawaii is  THE ONLY HAWAII ORGANIZATION authorized by
Dan Foley, the Hawaii attorney in Baehr v. Miike,  to raise money on behalf of
the court case Baehr v. Miike.  If you wonder about the role of Bill Woods,
who styles himself as "the father of the Hawaii's gay rights movement", PLEASE
TELEPHONE Dan Foley at 808 526-9500.  Foley and the three plaintiff couples had to
distance themselves from Bill Woods in 1993, for extremely good reasons.