Stand up & be counted!
October 29th, 2009 by MelissaThis isn't a sexy subject, but I need to share this with you! I went to a media briefing yesterday with the US Census Bureau, as they prepare for the big count next year. As you may know, this is a government-run program that counts the population in the United States every 10 years.
The count helps the Federal government determine what portion of the population lives in each state, and from there can appropriate a proportional amount of Federal funds (now at $400 billion) as needed. So if Hawaii is listed as having fewer people than we really have, we end up getting less of that $400 billion while another, more proactive state, gets more. Who wouldn't want more Federal funds??
Well, guess what: Hawaii was the third worst state in responding to the Census in 2000. The average response is 67 percent; I don't know what percent of our population responded, but I'm guessing much lower than that.
I'm sure there are a lot of non-English speaking people here who have no idea what this is all about. If you know such people or know anyone who works with this community, please let them know how important this is.
From there, I'm betting a lot of people in general think that the data is used by the government to invade their privacy. All the Census data is required by law to be kept private. No one's going to call you for jury duty. No one is going to deport you. No one is going to send you junk mail.
Next spring, the US Census Bureau will be snail-mailing you a form, which takes about 10 minutes to fill out and send back (no postage needed!). If you don't send your form in, the Census will then have to make a home visit.
So fill it in and send it back! And get us more Federal funds! Don't let Hawaii be pathetic again...make sure you and your friends get counted.
Tags: US Census Bureau
October 29th, 2009 at 8:14 am
HERE (HAND RAISED)
Am I counted? Yeah FIRST baby.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Melissa, I agree we should not take this lightly. Why lose out on the Federal money for the state. They just need the numbers. So those on the "Witless" protection program are still safe.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Can I count my 2 dogs a family members?
October 29th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I have loyally participated in every decennial census since I first lived in my own household in 1970. Jeez, that's 4 censuseseses (censi?) already, so this will be my "Golden" census. Am I THAT old?
October 29th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Hello Melissa!
Here!
October 29th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Hi Melissa
Never knew that about the census, will make sure we fill out ours
thanks 
NKHEA..... standing next to Ynaku jumpin up & down
October 29th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
hahaha Ynaku, do you ever sleep? You are always first!!!
Rodney! Portagee! Probably not!
Craig, I still point to your avatar and call you the great grandaddy of PR in Hawaii. So I guess that means....
M--wait! not yet!
NHKEA tell all yo friends!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Melissa, I'm your stalker from da BI das why. Only trouble is, I still waiting for the Super Fairy so I can do my stalking.
Nah, Look what time? Was 8 am. I suppose to be out the door and on to my jobsite. (No tell). Actually I was in the office in our Kona office doing my time and spreadsheet for all our Big Island jobs. Takes me about 2-3 hours. And I start at 6am.
I always look for food pics.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Ynaku; hana koko lele
I goin tell 
Eh Melissa he not da secret admirer dat I know about
NKHEA...... get BIG mouth =O
October 30th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Eh NKHEA, I make myself known so I can't be the Secret Admirer Then too, Hop-Along going conk me
Eh I met up with Dennis dem Wednesday in Kona. Good fun. Shirl made Chinese style Pigs Feet yum yum
October 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Yooooo Ynaku you lucky bugga, Shirl neva made pigs feet wen we waz dea
tink next time I goin throw hint 
NKHEA.....know who da sceret admirer
October 31st, 2009 at 7:46 am
As long as Senator Daniel Inouye is in office, Hawaii does not need to worry about head count. As senior senator and chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee that doles out federal funds, Hawaii has a direct pipeline to federal coffers. We receive more than our proportionate share. It is when he is no longer in office that Hawaii will be in big trouble. I dread to see the day.
Senator Inouye, more than any other politician in Hawaii, has for decades been the biggest influence in propping our Hawaii economy with federal funds. He is always looking out for the interests of our State and residents. He truly cares for the people in Hawaii.
Hawaii is in desperate need of strong and wise leadership of his quality to step up. Someone .... like our current President.
In any event, in regard to the census, we each should do our part. Fill out the census form when receiving it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:31 am
oooo you buggahs! I want pigs feet soup, too!!! NHKEA....you beeg buggah.....hahaha