Hawaii

HONOLULU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill Wednesday legalizing gay marriage in Hawaii, the state that kicked off a national discussion of the issue more than two decades ago.

HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie plans to sign a gay marriage bill into law during an invitation-only ceremony at the Hawaii Convention Center.

HONOLULU — The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday legalizing gay marriage, putting Hawaii a signature away from becoming a same-sex wedding destination.

HONOLULU — The Hawaii Senate is expected to pass a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Tuesday, the final step for the state Legislature before sending the special session measure to Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

HONOLULU — The head of Hawaii’s Senate judiciary committee said Saturday he expects an amended bill legalizing gay marriage to pass easily in the Senate next week, with no changes to the measure passed by the House Friday night after two grueling floor sessions and a lengthy public hearing.

HONOLULU — The Hawaii House of Representatives passed a special session bill on Friday night that would make Hawaii the 16th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage, setting up a final approval by the state Senate before it’s sent to Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature.

HONOLULU — Hawaii House lawmakers were poised to take their final vote Friday on a bill to legalize gay marriage on the islands, with strong chances the measure will pass and move to the Senate for its second approval.

HONOLULU — A Hawaii judge has rejected a move to block lawmakers from legalizing gay marriage in a special session, but said he’ll hear the challenge if a law is passed.

HONOLULU — An openly gay lawmaker in Hawaii may have made history Wednesday when she voted against a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

HONOLULU — The Hawaii House on Wednesday night moved forward a bill to legalize gay marriage to the chamber’s final vote after a nearly 11-hour hearing that featured political maneuvering and chanting crowds outside the gallery.

HONOLULU — A bill to legalize gay marriage in Hawaii faced a crucial test in the House on Wednesday as crowds for and against same-sex marriage chanted outside the chamber, drowning out lawmakers as they tried to speak.

HONOLULU — Two Hawaii House committees are moving forward a bill to legalize gay marriage to the full chamber.

HONOLULU — Lawmakers on two House committees Tuesday neared the end of five days of public testimony on a gay marriage bill that has already cleared the state Senate.

HONOLULU — The president of Hawaii’s police union testified Monday before a joint hearing in the state legislature on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, and said he would never enforce such a law.

NEW YORK — In Maine, a congressman running for governor came out as gay. In Hawaii, lawmakers prepared for a vote to legalize same-sex marriage. And in the U.S. Senate, seven Republicans joined the Democrats in a landmark vote to ban workplace discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

HONOLULU — A Hawaii House committee hearing on gay marriage took a break early Friday after a 14-hour session, and will resume later in the morning to hear testimony from more than 4,000 people who have yet to speak.

HONOLULU — More than half of Hawaii’s House lawmakers are spending Halloween listening to the public’s sentiments as they consider legalizing gay marriage.

HONOLULU — The fate of gay marriage in Hawaii is in the hands of the state House after smoothly passing in the Senate. It’s already been a bumpier ride for the legislation in the House.

HONOLULU — The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday legalizing same-sex marriage, sending the measure to more uncertain prospects in the House.

HONOLULU –The state Senate advanced a bill to legalize gay marriage during a special session Tuesday, sending it to a final floor vote that would get the legislation to the House.