Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2010 — Setting the record straight [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Setting the record straight

By Momi Imaikalani Fernandez After working in the community, especially behind the Census 2010 table, there have been many questions regarding the security, confidentiality and necessity of a decennial census. Let's set the record straight! The decennial census in the U.S. began in 1790 after it was required by the Constitution to count every resident every 10 years (refer to Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution). Since it heeame law, the census format and method of survey completion has changed. Lormal census taking in Hawai'i started in 1900 and has continued throughout the 49 continental states andPuerto Rico. This year's census will be mailed out with a prepaid stamped envelope by mid-March with instructions to complete and return by mail by April 1. Lollow-up visits will begin in April if your survey has not been returned by mail. Census data is used to determine how many seats in

Congress a state should have based on population, how mueh of the total $430 hillion will be distributed annually to a state. Congressional boundaries are decided by census data and funding for schools, hospitals, bridges, tunnels, puhlie works projects, emergency services, disaster relief, job training centers, senior centers and community hloek

grants. The percentage of participation determines the level of funding for the next 10 years - a total of at least $3 trillion dollars are available for distribution over that time period. Three trillion dollars is an astonishing number, but so is $35 million. Lor every 5 percent of the population that is missed or does not participate, $35 million is not distributed. Think of what $35 million could do for Hawai'i's people! So here is the process you ean expect. A census survey will be mailed to your residence. If you have a post office box or private mailbox, you will receive a door hanger with a phone number to eall for information. There are only 10 questions for eaeh household member. Census surveys are available in English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Korean, Russian and Vietnamese. Language assistance guides are available in 59 languages to help people fill out the English version of the census form. Question Assistant Centers will be available, especially in the hard-to-count areas and at community events. Starting in Lebruary, The Road Tour mobile census van will bring special emphasis to hard-to-count areas, visible homeless populations and will be scheduled to visit community events when possible. Care homes, shelters, soup kitchens and treatment centers will all have census workers assigned to assist as many as possible to complete their census surveys. Decennial census information is confidential for a 72-year period; it does not ask for social security numbers, Ananeial information, passport numbers or green card identification. There is no question on the survey that refers to citizenship. Therefore, illegal residents ean feel confident that the information provided will not be shared with the Justice Department or Immigration, Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service, Law Enforcement, state Tax Office, or used for jury selection. There is a serious penalty of $250,000 and/or imprisonment if a census worker violates any confidential information. A census worker will have identification with additional photo identification upon request. A census worker may visit your home three times in order to complete a survey but will not ask to enter your home. The census survey may be completed at your door and not within your home. Be aware of imposters! The Census Bureau has expanded media campaigns and has included social networks to increase the Census 20 1 0 message by informing the maximum number of residents possible. The survey cannot be completed online; however census workers are available for assistance. The success of the 2010 Census depends on every resident to complete their survey. It's our responsibility! Nāu ke kuleana! ■

Momi Imaikalani Femandez is the director ofthe Data and Infonnation/Census Information Center at Papa Ola Lōkahi, a Native Hawaiian Health nonprofit, Shannon K. K. Lineoln, MBA, Hawai'ilsland, contributed editing. Hiis is thefourth in a series on the history ofcensus in Hawai'i, \eading up to Census 2010.

Census in Hawai'i

Rosie Sakane scans a sample census questionnaire at 0HA's Hawaiian Business Conference and Eeonomie Expo. "I want to read the questions so I ean have a better understanding of what it is," said Sakane, a American Savings Branch manager in Waimea, Hawai'i lsland. - Photo: LisaAsato