Same-sex civil unions are now legal in Hawaii. Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill granting gay partners the same state rights as married couples.
Abercrombie signed the legislation during a ceremony Feb. 23.
Civil unions would start Jan. 1, 2012, making Hawaii the seventh state to permit civil unions or similar legal recognition for gay couples.
Five states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.
The civil unions bill was the first legislation that the Democratic governor signed into law since he was elected in November.
The measure passed the Legislature last week following more than two years of large protests and election battles.
