The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-2 to pass civil unions legislation following nearly 5 hours of testimony at the Hawaii Capitol, possibly the state's last public hearing on the issue following years of debate.

Supporters of civil unions, many wearing rainbow-colored lei, clapped and cheered following the vote, confident the measure was on a fast path to final passage.

The bill already cleared the state Senate last month, and new Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said he would sign it into law. The full House could vote as soon as Friday on the measure.