“We are doing our due diligence to remain open, transparent and accessible on this important issue of equality,” Abercrombie said in a statement Wednesday. 

State lawmakers met privately today to consider the issue of holding a special session to consider the bill. House Speaker Joe Souki said after the meeting that they don’t have the two-thirds majority necessary to call a special session themselves, although a simple majority reportedly supports the bill. 

The governor has the power to call a special session himself. He said he hopes to meet next week with House and Senate leadership to discuss the possibility.

Read the draft bill here.

— Nathan Eagle

Gov. Neil Abercrombie smiles outside the Hawaii Convention Center in this file photo. (Photo by Kent Nishimura for Civil Beat)