KAHULUI - Hundreds of people lined Kaahumanu Avenue on Sunday afternoon to hold dueling demonstrations for and against the proposed civil-unions bill in the state Legislature.
Those in support of traditional marriage between a man and a woman outnumbered a coalition of people supporting civil unions or gay marriage, but coalition members showed the same energy and enthusiasm for their position on the issue.
"I think they're very brave to stand here with me," said Saundra Farmer-Wiley, a Kihei woman who has committed herself to the same female partner for 32 years.
Farmer-Wiley formed the Coalition to Stop Spiritual Violence in Hawaii on Maui as a response to protests by traditional marriage supporters, including members of the Hawaii Family Forum.
Members of the forum used paid newspaper advertising to encourage people to attend Sunday's rally in Kahului and to contact Maui state senators to urge them to stop House Bill 444, which would legalize same-sex civil unions.
At the rally, married couples, their children and their spiritual leaders held signs calling for "no" votes on the bill, which would extend the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union.
The state House has passed a same-sex civil-unions bill. But, when a Senate committee vote ended in a tie earlier this year, legislative leaders planned to have the full Senate vote on the bill. Divisions have emerged over whether Democrats should take an extraordinary legislative step to revive the measure.
Many of Sunday's demonstrators wore red T-shirts to show solidarity and support for traditional marriage.
Church leaders encouraged people attending Sunday's event to write or call Maui's three state senators and let them know they do not want the bill to be pulled out of committee for a vote on the Senate floor.
Kihei resident Tom Alpin, who attended the event with his wife, Annie, said he opposed the proposal to make civil unions legal.
"It's being forced on us. Here we are fighting for our nation, our freedom of religion, all of our freedoms," Tom Alpin said.
Waikapu residents Alex and Hermie Beers said they were against gay marriage "because it's not God's plan." Alex Beers said the couple's decision to participate in Sunday's demonstration was motivated by their desire to "stand up for what we believe."
Standing among traditional marriage supporters, South Maui Rep. Joe Bertram III waved his own sign, calling civil unions an issue of human rights.
Across the street and sharing the same position as Bertram were Andrew Walmisley, an Episcopal priest and chaplain at Seabury Hall, and his partner, cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Allen. The two married during a visit last summer to San Francisco, where they lived before moving to Maui two years ago. They are raising two children, Mary, 9, and Luke, 6.
Walmisley did not appear to be intimidated by the hundreds of people demonstrating against the civil-unions bill.
"I think it's a well-organized minority. I do not believe the people of Hawaii are behind them," Walmisley said.
At one point during the sign waving, Walmisley and Allen shouted across Kaahumanu Avenue to those in support of traditional marriages: "God loves all families!"
No one shouted back, but a group against the civil-unions bill marched silently by the two gay men and their fellow demonstrators with the blowing of a conch shell and signs against the legislation. One woman held up a sign toward the group that read "Pono," which means righteousness in Hawaiian.
"I only have love for everyone," Allen said as he watched the marchers go by.
"This is about justice. This is not about the majority or the minority, but about civil rights."
* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.
