You count. Complete your Census today

The opportunity to participate in the U.S. Census only comes around once a decade. Don’t miss your chance to be counted. Complete the census online at 2020census.gov by the October 31 deadline. Above, KSK students attend the opening festivities of the 2020 legislative session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol where hundreds gathered to encourage greater civic participation.

July 29, 2020

Contributed by Samuel Kippen

The 2020 Census is the most inclusive civic activity in the country, covering each person in every household. The data collected affects our nation’s ability to ensure equal representation and equal access to government resources.

Census results are used to allocate seats and draw district lines for the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures and neighborhood boards. Census results are also utilized to allocate more than $800 billion annually in federal assistance to states, localities and families, and to guide decisions affecting schools, housing, and health care services.

And, in case you haven’t heard, the 2020 Census is happening right now.

The opportunity to participate in the Census only comes around once a decade. Don’t miss your chance to be counted. Complete the census online at 2020census.gov by the October 31 deadline.

According to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, every person counted equates to about $2,600 in federal funding flowing into the State of Hawai‘i per year for 10 years. During this critical time of COVID-19, census data could also help identify areas and communities where medical and food resources are needed most.

Unfortunately, according to the Census Bureau, Hawai‘i currently trails the national average in census completion. Change this downward trend and make you and your ‘ohana count! Complete the census online at 2020census.gov today!

TAGS
census,community and government relations,civic engagement,native hawaiian advancement