The biggest political issue of the year, civil unions, almost didn't materialize.

But state Rep. Blake Oshiro said he felt he owed supporters of House Bill 444 a public vote on the bill, which had been hastily buried with an anonymous voice vote in January.

“;It was a last-ditch effort. I didn't think it was going to work,”; said Oshiro, House Democratic leader.

Other Democrats said Oshiro opened his speech in caucus last week saying, “;I know I don't have the votes for this.”;

“;I said, 'Wait a minute, how do you know?'”; said Rep. Bob Herkes.

He and Rep. Joe Souki started to count votes and discovered there was a strong majority.

In the end, Oshiro said, they looked to help from Republican Reps. Cynthia Thielen (Kaneohe-Kailua) and Barbara Marumoto (Kalani Valley-Diamond Head). The latter's remarks during the debate Thursday were hailed by several Democrats.

The final vote was 31-20—comfortably more than the 26 “;ayes”; required for passage but fewer than the 34 needed to override a possible veto by Gov. Linda Lingle.

Lingle is not saying what she will do with the bill, which allows any two unrelated adults to form a civil union with all the rights and responsibilities of a married couple. But the political fallout is shaking the state.

At the Democrats' Oahu convention yesterday, the civil unions bill and how it will affect the fall elections were the top issues.

“;From the standpoint of the general community, obviously there is a big split,”; said Walter Heen, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee and a longtime Democrat. “;Whatever the governor does, it is going to reverberate in the next election. ... How it is going to work out, you can't tell.”;

Former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, a candidate for governor who was an early and strong supporter of both civil unions and same-sex marriage, won thunderous applause when he was introduced at the caucus yesterday. When Abercrombie touched on civil unions in his speech, the convention gave him another standing ovation.

“;It is an opportunity for us to state our values,”; he said before his speech. “;There is a tendency for people who are upset about the bill to claim an exclusive authority based on their religious persuasion. I think you have to be a little careful, especial in Hawaii, claiming exclusive moral authority based on religious claims.”;

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, an all-but-announced candidate for governor, is against same-sex marriage but has declined to express an opinion on the civil unions bill now before Lingle.

“;I draw the line when it comes to marriages,”; Hannemann said. “;I have always thought it should be between a man and a woman.”;

Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona, a GOP candidate for governor, is against the bill and same-sex marriage and is asking that it be vetoed.

Both Democrats and Republicans were caught off guard by the issue's re-emergence.

Sen. Robert Bunda, who is running for lieutenant governor, says he was going to base his campaign on economic issues, but now he has to consider the civil unions bill, which he opposed.

“;No matter what the governor does, this is going to continue to be an issue,”; Bunda said.

The Hawaii Christian Coalition has sent out e-mails asking members “;to flood the governor's office with requests to veto the bill.”;

Democrats look at the thousands of demonstrators that anti-civil-union groups have had at the state Capitol, and they know a battle looms.

“;For conservatives, it gives them a reason to participate,”; former Democratic Rep. Annelle Amaral said. “;I was watching the vote in the House and for conservatives, it was a visceral reaction. It will build a fire in conservatives.”;