Gay Marriage an Issue in Hawaii Gov. Race

The Republican candidate for Hawaii governor is proposing a constitutional ban on gay marriage, while the Democratic nominee opposes the ban and supports civil unions.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that GOP nominee and current lieutenant governor James "Duke" Aiona wants voters to decide on marriage rights in 2012, while Neil Abercrombie will sign a civil unions bill if brought to his desk. Abercrombie, a former U.S. congressman, doesn't believe the state should involve itself in the issue of same-sex marriage at the moment.

Republican Linda Lingle, the current governor of Hawaii who is being termed out of office, vetoed a civil unions bill in July that was passed by the state's legislature. Lingle has been divorced twice.