OUR ALLIES
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Josh Green, M.D.
Governor of Hawaii
“I’ve always stood on the side of advancing equality and civil rights in our state – from my time in the House, Senate, and now as Governor. Since the first Constitutional Convention, our state has uniquely and rightly sought to affirm protections and civil rights for all citizens of the state of HawaiÊ»i - voting YES on this constitutional amendment furthers that goal of protecting the rights of our GLBTQ+ Ê»ohana.”
Brian Schatz
U.S. Senator
"Hawaii’s constitution should be a reflection of our state’s diversity and our values. That’s why I’m voting YES on Con Am Question #1. It will remove a relic of the past and affirm our commitment to treating LGBTQ+ people with the dignity they deserve."
Mazie Hirono
U.S. Senator
"Same-sex marriage has been codified in Hawaii for over a decade and updating our State Constitution to reflect this law is long overdue. Since I began my career in public service, I have proudly worked to ensure that every person in our country and our state can live safely and openly as their authentic selves. Being able to marry who you want is a fundamental right and I look forward to voting YES on ballot question 1 this November."
Ed Case
U.S. Congressman
"Marriage equality is a civil right. Passing ballot question #1 will safeguard our state's legacy of protecting the freedom to marry for all who call Hawaiʻi home."
Jill Tokuda
U.S Congresswoman
This November, Vote YES on 1 to protect the rights our LGBTQ+ ohana have fought for and rightfully deserve, now and in the future. With the fall of Roe, we know this conservative Supreme Court has its eyes set on revisiting Obergefell, seeking to restrict same-sex marriage nationwide. This is unacceptable. My husband and I have always told our sons, “Love is love,” and we will fight for all children and ensure no future legislature should have the ability to erode or limit marriage equality in HawaiÊ»i.
David Ige
Former Governor of Hawaiʻi
"Same-sex marriage is the law of the land, protected by the US Constitution. The repeal of Article 1, Section 23 is long overdue. Vote yes on Question #1"
John Waiheʻe III
Former Governor of Hawaiʻi
“Our islands are a special place in which people from around the world have come to call home. Our ability to embrace differences and diversity is the spirit of Aloha we hold dear. Removing Article 1, Section 23 from the HawaiÊ»i Constitution is an act of Aloha. It is time to correct this wrong from our past.”
Steve Levinson
Former Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice
"Today, the HawaiÊ»i Bill of Rights prohibits all sex discrimination by the State. Except for the Legislature’s “authority” to deny same-sex couples’ access to marriage. By passing this Constitutional Amendment, the State could not constitutionally deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples. To do so would be unlawful discrimination."
Dan Foley
Former Judge
"Article I, Section 23 “is the only provision in our Bill of Rights that takes away rights rather than recognizes or grants rights. It’s the only provision in our state constitution designed and adopted to target and discriminate against a minority of our population, in this case, members of our LGBTQ community. Remove this discriminatory and unconstitutional provision from our Bill of Rights. Let the people vote once again. This time for civil rights!”
Tommy Waters
Honolulu City Council Chair
"I plan to vote YES on 1 this coming general election. It’s time that our constitution reflects where our community is on this issue – passage of the amendment is about treating our LGBTQ+ ohana with the respect they deserve."
Dr. Amy Agbayani
Co-Chair Hawaiʻi Friends of Civil Rights
"Thirty years ago, I joined advocates for marriage equality but our efforts were inadequate and our constitution does not protect marriage equality for all of HawaiÊ»i’s families. I will be voting “YES” and respectfully urge those of you who also believe in dignity, fairness, non-discrimination, and civil rights for all, to vote “YES"."
Doug Chin
14th Attorney General of Hawaiʻi
"HawaiÊ»i has historically embraced and fought for the civil rights and recognition of all people including the LGBTQ community. Leaving Article 1, Section 23 in the Constitution does not reflect today’s values, is confusing to an entire generation of residents, and, if there ever is a darker future chapter, could inflict harm."
Stanley Chang
State Senator
"Question 1 on this year’s General Election ballot is an opportunity for us to remove discriminatory language from the HawaiÊ»i State Constitution that was added nearly 30 years ago. Same-sex couples and families are part of the fabric of our local community and this is an opportunity for us to protect them. Vote “YES” this November to remove Article 1, Section 23.”
Kai Kahele
Former U.S. Congressman
Love One Another. Vote YES on Ballot Question #1.
Kirk Caldwell
Former Honolulu Mayor
"Hawaiʻi has long been an accepting and tolerant place to live. This stems from the values found in Native Hawaiian culture and in those who have immigrated here and made Hawaiʻi their home. The LGBTQ+ community is part of this fabric of our community. That is why it is so important to remove Article I, Section 23, ensuring the fundamental right to marry remains unaltered no matter the political winds that may reach Hawaiʻi."
Jarrett Keohokalole
State Senator
"People get to love who they want. The government shouldnʻt get to decide this. That's why I'm voting yes."
Adrian Tam
State Representative
"Marriage equality is a civil right. Passing ballot question #1 will safeguard our state's legacy of protecting the freedom to marry for all who call Hawaiʻi home."
Amy Perusso
State Representative
"Hawaiʻi has the opportunity to remove outdated, discriminatory language from our constitution and affirm our commitment to equality for all. By voting yes on this amendment, we ensure that marriage equality is permanently protected and that our constitution reflects the values of fairness and civil rights that define our state."
Jeanne Kapela
State Representative
"LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. Hawaiʻi has a long legacy of championing equality. At a time when civil rights are under assault on both the local and national stage, we must repeal discriminatory language from our State Constitution and uphold the freedom to marry for future generations."
Matt Weyer
Honolulu City Council Member
I’ll be voting yes. Our HawaiÊ»i Constitution should reflect the current law, which allows for same-sex marriage. Since same-sex marriage was legalized, many couples have exercised the right to marry and started families. Those families should be able to live free from the worry of their rights possibly being taken if the law changes in the future.
Camron Hurt
Program Director Common Cause Hawaiʻi
"You don’t have to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community to support that Community’s right to have a permissible and lawful marriage through the state government. HawaiÊ»i has time and time again stood for the civil rights of minority populations, and now this generation must heed the call to solidify the right to marriage by voting Yes on #1, the first question that will be on the ballot."
Sergio Alcubilla
Executive Director Hawaiʻi Workers Center
"All workers deserve dignity on the job site and in the home. Family is an important pillar of our community and all families in Hawaii deserve dignity and respect. The HawaiÊ»i Workers Center supports the repeal of Article 1, Section 23 to remove discriminatory language from our constitution and to ensure all of HawaiÊ»i’s families are protected, respected, and treated equally under our laws.”
The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
Bishop, The Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi
"The Episcopal Diocese of HawaiÊ»i supports the current ballot initiative to remove discriminatory language in our State Constitution that states "the Legislature has the authority to define marriage as between one man and one woman". During the coming election, we, therefore, affirm voting “yes” on “QUESTION #1: Removal of Specific Language Concerning the Authority of the Legislature to Reserve Marriage to Opposite-Sex Couples: Shall the state constitution be amended to repeal the legislature’s authority to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples?” As a Diocese, we have supported marriage equality for many years. Marriage is now open to all couples in our Church and nation. At every baptism and confirmation, Episcopalians affirm that we “will strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” Voting “yes” on Question #1 helps us fulfill this obligation by removing discriminatory language from our State Constitution."
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Lynch
President Interfaith Alliance of Hawaiʻi
The Interfaith Alliance Hawaiʻi supports marriage equality. We are in steadfast solidarity with the Vote YES for Marriage Equality referendum on the ballot this year. As an interfaith organization of clergy and lay people, we embrace the value of the compassionate ideal of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people in our communities.
Mele Apana
Hawaiʻi Radio & TV Personality
“I am proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community and I’ll never forget standing on the frontlines and fighting for equality and SB1 at the Capitol. It was the most frightening experience of my life. I stood aghast at how much hate there was towards us. In the end, LOVE WON! More importantly, this is the land of my Kupuna and the land of Aloha. In this World of turmoil, the only thing that will heal the world and unify our community is love and Aloha. This is why voting YES on question #1 on the ballot is crucial and important!”
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