The wording of the ballot language proved confusing to a number of voters, who were unsure of what the amendment accomplished.

[5][6] In 1993,[7] the Supreme Court of Hawaii ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage violated the state's constitution in Baehr v. Miike.

Ballot measures in Hawaii, California and Colorado were intended to safeguard same-sex marriage if the decision was ever overturned.

[13] Senator Chris Lee and Representative Adrian Tam announced their support for the campaign and pledged to push for the passage of legislation repealing the amendment.

It was also backed by Senator Brian Schatz and Representative Ed Case, as well as former Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Steven Levinson and numerous other officials.