The final version of a bill that would legalize same-sex civil unions was passed by the Hawaii Senate yesterday in what one legislator called "a momentous day."

"Today is a momentous day," Sen. Clayton Hee told local reporters after the vote. "There is no denying that by this action Hawaii takes a significant step towards true equality."

The Senate voted 18-5 to pass SB232 SD1 HD1, which both legalizes same-sex civil unions and extends to them the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities that spouses in a marriage have.

The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who has said that he intends to sign it when he returns to the state.

"I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people's privacy and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha," Abercrombie said in a statement.

The battle over same-sex civil unions has been a fierce one in Hawaii, with former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle vetoing a similar piece of legislation last year.

Notably, SB232's passage comes after Sabrina Shizue McKenna was appointed as the first openly gay member of Hawaii's Supreme Court.

McKenna was appointed in January to a 10-year-term in what Abercrombie called "the most important decision" of his career.

"I would like to believe that because of my background and my life experiences, I bring sensitivity to those who may not have been born into a life of privilege, a sensitivity to those whose life circumstances make it difficult for them to conform with all of society's expectations," McKenna said.

"I try to bring compassion to the court."