2020 Census
The census counts every person living in the United States and the five U.S. territories, and participation is required by law and mandated by the Constitution. A census is conducted every 10 years, where upon the results determine the amount of funding provided to schools, hospitals and clinics, research opportunities, housing assistance, public transportation and other programs headed by both the government and native Hawaiian non-profit organizations for the entire decade. In Hawaiʻi, we receive 2 billion dollars in funding with money going towards Medicaid ($933 mil), SNAP ($505 mil), Highway Planning/Construction ($107 mil), and more.
Hawaiians have historically been undercounted due to language barriers, poverty, education level, and other characteristics. However, the more Hawaiians who are counted, the more money our community receives, leading to more programs that directly benefit the Lāhui. This money could be used to build new healthcare centers, help alleviate the health risks Hawaiians face, fund scholarships for young Hawaiians, and more! If we can overcome these boundaries, we can positively change our communities on a wide scale for the next 10 years and beyond.
Funding for COVID relief aid from the CARES Act was determined by the population size taken by the census.
Certain communities that are undercounted received dramatically less money than they needed to help alleviate stresses from rent, medical bills, and other living expenses.
The census also determines the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for each state. States with bigger populations have more representatives, meaning more political representation in Congress. So, with more people counted in Hawaiʻi, there’s an increased chance to elect more politicians that will represent the best interests of Hawaiians.
The census gives us the opportunity to improve and strengthen our lives and our kaiāulu (community), so it is our kuleana (responsibility) to participate.
The census asks for information about your household, such as how many people lived in your home on April 01, 2020, the type of home you live in, and the names/ages/sexes/DOBs/races of those who live with you.
The census does not record your social security number, citizenship status, bank account, or credit card numbers, and you will not be asked for money or donations. No one can use your answers against you. A Trust and Safety Team has been established to ensure that your information remains confidential.
Additionally, under Title 13, every Census Bureau employee keeps your information confidential, and they cannot share your private information with law enforcement or other government agencies.
You can complete the census now online, by phone, or by mail. Only one person needs to complete the census for each home.
During this pandemic, we need to keep Hawaiʻi safe. Do your part and self-respond now so that census takers do not need to collect information in person. If someone you know lives in a hard to reach place or has limited access to technology, please consider providing assistance to them in a safe way.