The Hawaii Senate passed on Wednesday a bill that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples. The legislation passed with an 18-5 vote and now awaits the signature of Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie

If signed, Hawaii would become the seventh state to extend the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to gay and lesbian partners in a civil union.

Opponents of same-sex unions have been hard at work for years to preserve traditional marriage in the Aloha State. They have contended that a measure allowing civil unions for same-sex couples undermines the institution of marriage and the will of the Hawaii people, who in 1998 voted 70 to 30 percent to affirm marriage as being between a man and a woman. The push by gay rights advocates won't stop at civil unions, they argued.

The measure currently before Gov. Abercrombie was introduced in January and passed by the House last week. If signed, the measure takes effect January 1, 2012.