Anti-Gay Marriage Hawaiian Lawmakers Get Coal for Christmas

Nineteen Hawaiian lawmakers who voted against the state's marriage equality law earlier this month received a lump of coal in the mail by an anonymous sender last Thursday.

According to Hawaii News Now, the 19 legislatures received a black box with green tissue paper and a red pouch. Inside the pouch was a hard black substance - initially lawmakers thought it was a lava rock, which is a Hawaiian superstition for bad luck - but the mysterious sender was giving them a big old lump of coal, just in time for Christmas.

The present also came with a note:

"You left a piece of your heart at the State Building when you voted on SB-1..... Your lifestyle choice of judging others and ignorance is very unfortunate. Good luck in the next election."

Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D), who voted against the gay marriage bill, told Hawaii News Now, that he has "not been a good boy this year, I have been naughty, not nice. Well I'm afraid some people feel that way about me right now."

"It is very unusual. It made its point and for me its a keepsake that I will hold onto for a long time," Rep. Oshiro said sarcastically. "I just want to thank the person who sent it to me anonymously, Merry Christmas, mele kalikimaka, hauoli makahiki hou."

Rep. Richard Fale (R), who also voted against the measure, said he did not understand the lump of coal.

"We got lickins when we weren't doing what we were supposed to be doing," he told the newspaper. "I guess kids on the mainland that's actually a better thing. I would rather get a piece of coal in my stockings then lickins."

The sender put a local hospital as the return address but officials from Hilo Medical Center deny being involved. Howard Ainsley, East Hawaii Regional CEO of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, said the hospital does not "condone this type of behavior."

"Over the years, we have enjoyed a positive relationship with members of the legislature," he said. "It is extremely unfortunate that our good hospital was brought into a such bad act. We want to assure our legislators that we will fully cooperate with the investigative process to bring the perpetrators of these acts to justice."

According to Hawaii News Now, the tracking number shows the boxes were sent from the hospital on Tuesday at 12:19 p.m. and the sender actually went to the counter to mail the lumps of coal. Police, however, won't investigate since it is not illegal to send coal to lawmakers.

"I feel sad for this person. That's what it tells me. This individual I hope gets some kind of help or assistance. There is something missing in their life," Rep. Fale told the newspaper.

The anonymous sender did not send anything to the four State Senators who voted against the gay marriage bill.

On Nov. Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed the state's marriage equality bill into law, making Hawaii the 15th in the nation to recognize same-sex marriage.