Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Wednesday, October 14, 1998
Kokua Line
During this period before the election, there have been confusing TV and newspaper ads urging people to vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment relating to the marriage law. Can you explain in layman's terms exactly what the marriage law is in Hawaii? Hawaii Revised Statutes
cover isle marriage lawThe subject of marriage is covered in Chapter 572 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The marriage law was amended by the state Legislature in 1994 (with Gov. John Waihee's approval) to specify that marriage is between a man and woman.
Chapter 572 details various parts of a marriage contract and begins by saying a valid marriage must meet the following conditions:
The people getting married are not related "to each other of ancestor and descendant in any degree whatsoever, brother and sister of the half as well as to the whole blood, uncle and niece, aunt and nephew, whether the relationship is legitimate or illegitimate."
(This was the provision changed to specify man and woman.)
However, a Circuit Court judge ruled in December 1996, that the state failed to show a compelling reason to justify sex discrimination in the law and ordered the state to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. That ruling was appealed and is pending before the state Supreme Court.
On Nov. 3, voters will be asked to vote yes or no to amending the state Constitution to contain this statement: "The Legislature shall have the power to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples."
A yes vote would give the Legislature the power to determine who can marry; a no vote would leave the matter to the courts.
When I moved to my apartment 26 years ago, Hawtel installed a wall phone in my kitchen, in addition to one in the bedroom. The wall phone no longer works. I went to Hawtel's store and they told me that they will charge me $84 to replace it. I think this is gouging. This is their property that I have been renting for years. Why do I have to pay so much?
Your phone may not be working for a number of reasons, said Hawaiian Tel spokesman Keith Kamisugi. He suggested calling 611 to clarify the problem.
If you rent a phone from Hawaiian Tel, repairs are included in monthly fees, he said. "However, the charge you pay for basic GTE telephone service and rental does not cover the cost of repairs to telephone wires and jacks, which may be the cause of the problem."
Also check pages 8-13 of the telephone directory for more information.
To a nonprofit group able to haul it away: 45-year-old single-wall Hicks home, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. Livable condition. In Kapahulu. Call Kokua Line, 525-8686. Free house!
To those of you who must run the red light. Leave home five minutes earlier or you may never see tomorrow again. -- George Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
