Approval came after nearly two hours of emotional, sometimes personal, floor debate on the legal, moral and ethical implications of doctor-assisted suicide.

"Even though I may have personal misgivings, I don't believe it is my right to tell the people of the state of Hawaii that you cannot use your free will to decide whether you want to end your life at all when the moment comes," said Rep. Joe Souki, D-Maalaea-Kapalua-Wailuku. "It is your choice to make and it is not mine."

The Senate has not taken up the issue. Senate Health Committee Chairman David Matsuura has said he will not hold hearings on any House-approved measures, a move that would end any chance of the bills becoming law.

Gov. Ben Cayetano supports the so-called "death with dignity" measures and has publicly asked Matsuura to open the way for a possible vote in the Senate.

If the laws are approved, Hawaii would join Oregon, as the only states to allow doctor-assisted suicide.

One bill approves a constitutional amendment allowing assisted suicide. The other details how the law would be implemented, specifically stating that terminally ill, competent adults would be able to obtain prescription medication for the sole purpose of taking a lethal dose. The measure prohibits mercy killings, lethal injections or active euthanasia.

The two bills both passed 30-20, with one member absent. To put the constitutional amendment on this year's ballot would require a two-thirds vote in both houses, meaning at least four more votes are needed in the House when the final version is worked out.

During debate, the body defeated a GOP motion to recommit the bills to the House Health Committee. Republicans argued the measure should not move forward because it was only heard by the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

Health Committee Chairman Dennis Arakaki admitted that he should have been more diligent in seeking to hear the measures, but he does not believe any further discussion is needed in committee. The full House also debated the two bills for about an hour last week on second reading.

Opponents argue that allowing doctor-assisted suicide would put Hawaii on a "slippery slope" that ultimately would lead to euthanasia and mercy killings.

"This bill has dire consequences for both the integrity of the medical profession in Hawaii and the future safety of our people," said Rep. William Stonebraker, R-Kalama Valley-Portlock. "It comes to our gates in the guise of compassion and care, but let me say that it is a Trojan Horse, and if we allow it into our city, if we allow it into our state we will suffer dire consequences."

Supporters said the bills, as drafted, provide enough safeguards to ensure that the "right to die" would not become a "duty to die."

They also argued that the decision on life should be a personal choice and that terminally ill patients should not be forced to live out their final years in pain.

Both sides agreed that the debate of assisted suicide has been useful in promoting further discussion on improving long-term care and pain management resources.

Arakaki, D-Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley, said he supported the assisted suicide bill to keep alive discussions on alternatives. The House this week approved a plan for a state-run long-term care program.

"Compassion to me is how we care for people to ease suffering while they are living, not to allow them to end suffering by dying," Arakaki said. "Quality long-term care must be part of the equation of any discussion of end of life issues.

"The fact that we're considering this measure is an indication that we have not been providing that quality long-term care system."