HONOLULU -- A sea of people in white flooded the State Capitol Rotunda and spilled onto Beretania Street, hoping to convince lawmakers to kill an upcoming bill that would establish civil unions in Hawaii.

The bill, which has been stalled since last May in the state Senate, would extend the same rights and benefits of married couples to partners in civil unions.

Most of the demonstrators came to support traditional marriage.

"It is our responsibility to nurture it, protect it and sustain it," said Marc Alexander.

Event organizers set up voter registration tables that some believe will put pressure on state lawmakers and the gubernatorial candidates. Both Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and Mayor Mufi Hannemann made unscheduled appearance at the rally.

"We know that marriage is about a man and a woman. That is true," said Aiona.

"I'm also very moved to see the crowd here, because what you're saying by your presence … is not only that you believe in this principal, but that you're willing to stand up for it, and that is democracy at it's best," said Hannemann.

Hannemann added that in 1998, he was one of three council members that was vocal about supporting traditional marriages.

"I believe in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman," Hannemann said.

Yet, while opponents of the bill held their rally, supports held an interfaith service celebrating the gay community.

Organizers of the event said it demonstrated that there is broad support for equal treatment of all Hawaii residents, and many said the current bill addresses all of their concerns, thus eliminating a need for new legislation.

"Why would we go ahead and piecemeal rights when the civil union will grant those rights?" asked Tambry Young.

Equality Hawaii said it held the interfaith service a day before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day because he fought for civil rights many years ago.

The House civil union bill will go to the Senate once the 2010 legislative session begins on Wednesday, and may be considered on Friday.

A coalition of community members and churches have been working with lawmakers on new legislation to call for a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman. If passed, the amendment would appear on a ballot for voters to decide.

Another so-called compromise bill extends benefits to state workers, allows partners to file joint income tax returns, and to live in the same care home.