[ OUR OPINION ]

Canada’s gay unions
may dispel U.S. fears

THE ISSUE The Canadian cabinet has approved a national policy to legalize gay marriage.

HAWAII was in the spotlight several years ago after a judge ruled that the state had not put forth a compelling reason -- as the state Supreme Court had required -- why same-sex couples could not marry. Voters responded by resoundingly approving a constitutional amendment that effectively imposed such a ban. Canada now is embarking on a policy that should show that Hawaii voters had nothing to fear, and legislators at some point may want to reconsider the state's stance.

In Hawaii's 1998 election, 69 percent voted in favor of allowing the Legislature to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples -- which it already had done -- while 29 percent were opposed. Greater public tolerance of homosexuality is needed, but it will take courageous legislators to recognize that human-rights issues ultimately should not be determined by popular opinion.

Vermont moved ahead of Hawaii in 2000 as the most tolerant state in recognizing human rights for gays and lesbians by legalizing "civil unions," allowing same-sex couples many of the benefits of marriage. While the Hawaii controversy had raged, 37 states and Congress enacted laws, called Defense of Marriage Acts, specifically banning same-sex marriages. People in those states feared that their homosexual couples would exchange vows in Hawaii and claim legal benefits at home.

That concern had legal validity. Article IV of the Constitution states, "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state." The provision probably renders the Defense of Marriage Acts unconstitutional.

However, states are not obligated to recognize marriage licenses recorded by other countries. That is the apparent reason why few American gay and lesbian couples have made marriage trips to the Netherlands and Belgium, which allow same-sex marriages.

It also is why American homosexual couples are unlikely to beat a bridal path to the north. The United States always has accepted Canadian marriage licenses, but the success of homosexual couples to claim marriage rights and privileges in the United States deriving from their Canadian certificates is doubtful. The most important effect the Canadian policy could have on the United States will be to demonstrate that same-sex marriages will not be disruptive to the institution of marriage.

---

BACK TO TOP
|

Drought is starting to
hurt isles’ economy

THE ISSUE Water shortages have prompted layoffs of sugar company workers on Maui and cut into crop production elsewhere.

ROUTINE summer warnings about water shortages have grown more serious as low rainfall across the state in the last four to five years has led to sobering declines in reservoirs and aquifers. This year, prolonged drought has forced temporary layoffs of about 90 sugar workers on Maui and although the number of jobs may be small, the effects on agriculture on the Valley Isle and the Big Island are already widespread.

In summer months, residents are reminded to conserve water, but as demand on Maui as well as on Oahu continues to increase with the population, the practice should be a year-round effort.

Maui last month had the third lowest rainfall levels in 79 years. Officials have not imposed mandatory restrictions, but say if there is no significant rainfall soon, they may have to do so. Because of a shortage of irrigation water, Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. has put off planting, prompting the layoffs. The largest single sugar plantation in the state has seen flows of less than 10 percent of what is needed.

On the Big Island, coffee crop losses are estimated as high as 60 percent at some farms on the west side where emergency drought conditions have been declared three years running. With gauges at 30 to 50 percent or less than normal, ranchers are having to buy more feed for their cattle, an expense that cuts into already slim profit margins.

Diversified crop farmers in the Puna district of Hawaii along with those on Maui are considering reducing their plantings; there's no use in starting up crops if there will be no water to bring them to harvest.

On Oahu, lower rainfall coupled with above-average consumption moved the Board of Water Supply last month to urge residents to cut use voluntarily. An arid winter has not replenished aquifers, dropping three stations to "alert" levels, the second degree of concern, while three major artesian wells are at "caution" status, the first level of concern.

Although Oahu has a way to go before aquifers are severely taxed, the hot dry summer stretches ahead. Conservation will be necessary to avoid stricter restrictions. If mandatory limits are imposed, hotels and other tourism-related businesses would be affected during the industry's busiest season. Then, the ripples of water shortages will extend beyond agriculture to the heart of the state's economy.