HONOLULU -- The measure to pull a controversial civil unions bill out of a Senate committee failed on Wednesday.

Sen. Gary Hoosier made the motion to force the stalled civil unions bill out for a full Senate vote.

"I am speaking in support of pulling this bill to the floor because I believe it is our duty and obligation to treat people equally, to provide protection for all people," Hooser said.

Opponents argued it would be wrong to yank out the bill because it got a fair hearing in committee.

"The bill is not stuck in committee. The bill is not bottled up in the committee. The bill has had a hearing. We have followed the process. We have done all that," Sen. Sam Slom said.

After about an hour of debate, the recall effort failed. The vote was 6 to 18. Nine votes were needed to pull the bill out of the Judiciary Committee where it was stalled.

Opponents to civil unions and some supporters packed the state Senate gallery on Wednesday as lawmakers prepared for the vote.

The bill would have given same-sex couples the same rights under state law as married couples.

It is very unusual to pull a bill out of committee. The last time it was done was 10 years ago, that was the assisted suicide issue.

After the failed vote to pull the civil unions bill to the Senate floor, opponents to the measure celebrated outside and held prayers.

"This is a victory for traditional marriage and preserving the will of the people," Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said in a written statement. "I have said from the beginning that House Bill 444 attempts to circumvent the will of the people by authorizing same-sex marriage under a different name."

Supporters of civil unions said this is not the end of their fight.