Honolulu City Council Charles K. Djou, Republican candidate in the upcoming Hawai'i 1st Congressional District special election, today criticized the Hawaii State Legislature's passage of HB444 legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples.

Djou said lawmakers "clearly and blatantly ignored the will of the people of Hawai'i on this issue."

"Hawaii voters have spoken very clearly in support of traditional marriage," Djou said in a statement.

Djou said he opposes HB444 and supports the Federal Defense of Marriage Act signed by President Bill Clinton.