A coalition of community groups led by the UNITE HERE Local 5 hotel workers' union is calling for the Legislature to pass a bill allowing civil unions in Hawai'i.

In an open letter to state senators yesterday, the groups pointed out that Hawai'i voters in 1998 granted lawmakers the power to reserve marriage to opposite sex couples, "but did not obviate the Legislature's obligation under the constitution to provide equal protection to all of Hawai'i's citizens."

House Bill 444 offers senators "an historic opportunity to extend equality to same-sex couples and their families," the letter said.

The letter urges senators to allow the bill to bypass the Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, which is deadlocked 3-3 on the measure, calling the matter a civil rights, economic justice and " 'ohana" issue.

"The notion that people have a right to equal treatment from government is at the foundation of our democracy," said Eric Gill, Local 5 secretary-treasurer.

Leaders of other groups signing the open letter included Friends of Civil Rights and Filipinos for Affirmative Action, the Japanese American Citizens League, Hawaii NAACP, One Peace-At-A-Time, Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club, Hawai'i Friends of Civil Rights, Institute for the Advancement of Hawaiian Affairs, the Musicians' Association of Hawaii Local 677, Hui o Na Ike, the 'Ilio'uokalani Coalition, the Pa'i Foundation, and the Hawai'i State Democratic Women's Caucus.