The governor wants to hear from both sides before she makes a decision on civil unions -- and she held the first of two private meetings on Monday.
She's talking to people both for and against the measure that would extend the same rights as marriage to same-sex couples.
About 30 opponents of the measure attended a two-hour long private session in the governor's office.
"House Bill 444 is not about civil rights but about creating special rights," said civil unions opponent Garrett Hashimoto.
Religious leaders and several youth were among the group.
"For example, what comes next, same sex marriage? what comes next, homosexuality being taught in the schools?," asked Ryan Mc Donald, civil union opponent.
Recently the governor shared the factors she'll be considering as she weighs whether to veto, sign or let the measure become law without her signature.
"How the economy, the fiscal situation of the government would be affected, what programs would we now have to expand to cover a lot more people for instance so what would the economic impact be?," asked Governor Linda Lingle.
To that end proponents released a University of Hawaii economic analysis that said:
"The legalization of civil unions in Hawaii will have only a very minimal impact on any aspect of Hawaii's economy and state government operations."
That "There is also no evidence that the legalization of same-sex marriages have adversely affected tourism arrivals to other states with similar laws."
And that the law could even invite more tourism.
The governor must signal any veto intentions to the legislature by June 21st.
"We do want her to veto it on a couple of means, not only on the content of it, but what it gets across, it's really the start of a long war that would come and would lead to a lot of other things," said McDonald.
The governor also said she's reviewing state department input, including a 36 page internal attorney general's opinion pointing out the differences between same-sex marriage, civil unions, and Hawaii's existing reciprocal beneficiaries law.
