Gov. Lingle has 2 weeks to decide on civil unions as gay, religious groups mobilize

Hawaii civil unions decision drawn out

HONOLULU — Gov. Linda Lingle is getting deluged with rallies, letters and phone calls as she weighs whether to allow civil unions to become law.

Gay rights groups hoisted signs in favor of same-gender civil unions at the Hawaii Capitol on Tuesday, while religious leaders asked their congregations to urge the Republican governor to veto the measure.

Lingle put the civil unions legislation on her potential veto list Monday, a move that bought her more time before making a final decision. She has until July 6 to veto or sign the bill, or else it would become law without her signature.

Lingle’s office has received about 20,000 letters, faxes, e-mails and phone calls, most of which oppose civil unions.