Passing by a margin of 33-17, Hawaii's House approved a measure that would allow gays and lesbians to enter into civil unions. Opponents of the bill are claiming that the they're holding off on a real fight until the bill gets to Hawaii's Senate, but State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa says she has enough votes to pass the bill, provided she can get it out of committee.

The Honolulu Advertiser writes:

" Hanabusa, said yesterday she believes there are enough votes in the Senate for civil unions if the bill moves out of the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee. The committee is currently divided 3-2 in favor of civil unions, with state Sen. Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), undecided.

Hanabusa said she would consider forcing the bill out if it fails in committee. A one-third vote of the Senate would be required to recall the bill.

"I believe that if it makes the floor there are the votes in the Senate to pass civil unions," she said.

Hanabusa said she would only attempt to force the bill out of committee with the concurrence of the committee's chairman, state Sen. Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), who backs civil unions. Taniguchi said he would prefer to deal with the bill in committee but would be open to alternatives if it stalls…

State House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, D-33rd ('Aiea, Halawa Valley, 'Aiea Heights), the bill's sponsor, said the debate was inspiring for him. He said he has occasionally been disappointed and frustrated by the legislative process but has always accepted it as part of elected office. He said that yesterday he felt, for the first time, like he belonged in the chamber and was making a difference.

"There will be a day when acceptance, tolerance, equity and justice are not just words, but they will be truly embodied by our actions," Oshiro said. "So let that day come closer. And let that day be today."