Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 1, 1 January 1990 — Census data used as base for many programs [ARTICLE]

Census data used as base for many programs

Census Day, April 1, 1990 is the day when the nation takes a count of all its citizens. About one or two weeks before Census Day, most households will receive a census questionnaire in the mail. For the remaining households, particularly households in the rural areas, census enumerators will personally deliver the questionnaire. The questionnaire is to be completed to reflect the composition and characteristics of the household on Census Day. Help will be available to those who need assistance in completing the questionnaire. The completed questionnaire is to be returned by mail to the census office. Most households will receive a short form eensus questionnaire. The short form asks a limited number of questions about the household. Items include questions on race, age, marital status, and whether the home is owned or rented. The remaining households, about one out of every six, will receive a longer form of the census questionnaire. This questionnaire will include more detailed questions about household members. Additional questions will include educational status, occupation, ineome, and more detailed questions about the home. Why the census? The United States Constitution mandates that the nation take a count of its citizens onee every 10 years. The census serves as the foundation of our representative government. At the federal level, the census data is used to determine the number of representatives a state will have in the House of Representatives. This is done so that eaeh state is equally represented in Congress.

At the state and county government levels, the census data are used to reapportion districts and determine representation. The federal government also uses the census data to apportion billions of dollars available in federal funds to the states. The moneys include funding for programs in health and human services, education, housing and other programs. Business people, teachers, students, researchers, planners, public and private agencies, and everyone else who needs to know what is happening to the population use census information. For example, census facts and figures are used to determine where to locate facilities such as schools, hospitals, and other public and private services and centers. Various social programs receive funds based on census data; businesses use the data for making decisions involving market expansion and jobs. If you are not counted, it may happen that flawed decisions are made. Inaccurate counts ean curtail projects and cause lower funding for community services and programs. In addition to reapportionment and funding, the census data provides a social and eeonomie snapshot of the nātion. It tells us how we are changing as a nation. Are we getting older or younger? Where do we !ive? How mueh does housing cost? Do more people own or rent their home? Are we a more educated society? How mueh money is beng earned? What kinds of jobs do people have? What is our ethnic makeup? The census data provides answers to these questions and more. Census important to Native Hawaiians It is important that Native Hawaiians stand up and be counted as Hawaiians. As a group, Native Hawaiians are eligible for

certain federal moneys. An accurate count of the Native Hawaiians is necessary to ensure that Native Hawaiians receive their fair share of the federal moneys available. In 1980, when the last census was conducted, one estimate indicated that Native Hawaiians were undercounted by as mueh as 25 percent. How ean you identify yourself as Native Hawaiian? The 1990 census questionnaire includes a question on race. The person completing the questionnaire is asked to select the one (and only one) race with whieh he/she identifies. Under the category of "Asian/Pacific Islander" there will be listed several different ethnic groups; among them will be "Hawaiian." Simply eheek off the box next to "Hawaiian." Finally, the census is confidential. Federal law protects census information about individuals and businesses from being released. Not even other federal agencies ean get information about individuals from the Census Bureau. Under the law, the information ean be used for statistical purposes only. Violations of the law are punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. When the census questionnaire arrives — fill it out to be counted as Hawaiian. Leio no ka 'ohe i kona lua. The 'ohe taro leaps into its own hole. Eaeh person to his own plaee. From the 1 egend of Kamiki, in whieh the hero called to the various taros by name, and eaeh leaped into its own hole ' and stood there. From "Olelo No'eau, Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings," published by Bishop Museum Press.