The state Senate voted 18-7 this afternoon to approve a bill recognizing civil unions in Hawaii, a measure that opponents say is akin to legalizing same-sex marriage.

The bill now goes back to the House, which passed it last year. The Senate tally gives bill supporters enough votes to override a veto by Gov. Linda Lingle, however she has not indicated whether or not she would reject the bill if passed by the Legislature.

During today's debate, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa repeatedly had to pound her gavel to quiet the packed gallery. 

The chamber was filled with supporters and opponents of the bill who alternatively cheered and clapped until Hanabusa said the senators couldn't hear the proceedings.

“;I don't view it as civil rights, I view it as civil license,”; Sen. Sam Slom (R-Hawaii Kai) said. “;Does this really have to do with civil rights? The answer is no. It has to do with money,”; he said, adding that the debate was about benefits for same-sex couples.

According to the Senate's description, HB 444 “;extends the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union.”;

Sen. Roz Baker, a Maui Democrat, said the issue is “;about equal treatment ... how the law views individuals who may look at things differently than we do.”;

“;There are all kinds of families and all kinds of relationships and they all deserve to be treated equally,”; Baker said.

Maui Democrat Sen. J. Kalani English sent out a Twitter message from the Senate floor saying “;Civil Rights Now!”;

“;Our state is a state that is different and ... fundamentally preserves equality,”; said Sen. Gary Hooser, a Kauai Democrat.

Windward Oahu Republican Sen. Fred Hemmings said “;nowhere is what we are doing here today mentioned as a right.”;

Sen. Mike Gabbard, a Leeward Democrat and a longtime opponent of same-sex marriage, said “;civil unions is simply another name for same-sex marriage.”;

The debate today came after the Senate had held up the bill for nearly a year from when it was sent by the state House.

“;If they have the votes to pass it, we will bring it to the majority caucus,”; said House Speaker Calvin Say earlier.

But it is unclear whether the bill can pass the House again. Say indicated he thinks its time may have passed.

“;We just had a missed opportunity because it could have been addressed last year,”; Say said in an interview last week.