By Will HooverAdvertiser Staff WriterNative Hawaiians are the most under-reported ethnic group in the United States, but the Census Bureau is laying the groundwork for what officials hope will be a more accurate count in 2010.The under-reporting is probably due to the reluctance by some residents to fill out government forms and Native Hawaiians being absorbed into broader categories, such as "Asian" and "other Pacific Islanders."To address those issues, the Census Bureau will, for the first time, place an office in Wai'anae, and will staff it as much as possible with residents from the Wai'anae Coast and West O'ahu.Officials hope that will go a long way toward getting a better reading of Wai'anae Coast residents. The area — home of the largest population of people with more than 50 percent Hawaiian blood — has been one of the most difficult locations in the state to conduct the official population count done every decade.Other hard-to-survey areas have been the Big Island and Moloka'i.Statewide, just six of every 10 census questionnaires issued were returned in 2000. Only two states — Alaska and South Carolina — had lower return rates.The census survey counts as Native Hawaiian every person who considers herself or himself to be of that ethnic heritage, regardless of their percentage of Hawaiian blood, said Momi Fernandez, director of the Hawai'i Census Information Center.A decade ago, nearly 240,000 people in Hawai'i identified themselves as Native Hawaiian in the nation's official population count, but the Census Bureau believes the actual number could be far greater."That's because there are plenty of uninformed people that participated in the census survey in 2000 that missed their opportunity to mark off Native Hawaiian," said Fernandez. "Others, within the last 10 years, have found out that they have Native Hawaiian blood."That's any drop of Native Hawaiian blood. There's no application for quantum whatsoever. It's purely self-identification. And it doesn't matter how much. You're free to answer the race question any way you want."An accurate count helps assure that Hawai'i gets its fair share of federal money, dictates government representation and more, said Wanda Liloa Hanson, a regional technician for the Census Bureau.'bitter taste'Hanson, who is Native Hawaiian, understands why some residents on the Wai'anae Coast might be reluctant to answer a government survey."Hawaiians have a bitter taste in their mouth," she said. "They have an aversion to government because of the overthrow of the monarchy. And that wound has not healed for many people. It's a deep hurt."After a pause she added, "Once we accepted statehood we accepted to be governed by the United States. Our Hawaiians need to stand up and be recognized. They need to be counted."Hanson is on a mission to see to it that Hawaiians get a proper head count this time around. In May she was at the WorkForce job fair recruiting dozens of Wai'anae residents to apply for a half-dozen management jobs at the new facility. In July, the bureau signed a lease on office property near City Mill in the Wai'anae Mall.Recently, crews began installing furniture at that office, which is expected to open in late September or early October. In the meantime the bureau will be hiring some 150 people to operate the facility, and up to 1,500 field workers to do follow-up survey work.Their assignment will be enhanced by the fact that the 10-question census form is one of the shortest since the Census Bureau began in 1790.In March, Census 2010 workers will mail questionnaires to individual households. April 1, 2010, is Census Day, meaning that survey responses should reflect the household as it exists on that day.Bureau workers know that some residents are apprehensive about the forms, fearing that information provided could be seen by others or somehow used against them. Hanson reminds folks that the bureau goes to great lengths to secure and protect data. It is also a violation of federal law for the bureau to share an individual's questionnaire responses with any person, law enforcement office or other federal agency.While the Honolulu Census Bureau office on Fort Street will cover Honolulu and East O'ahu, the West O'ahu office in Wai'anae will cover the western half of the island as well as the Neighbor Islands. Workers surveying Neighbor Islands will be selected from their various island communities.Wai'anae chosenHanson said initially there was resistance to putting the second census office in Wai'anae because it was thought that Kapolei — the Second City — seemed a more logical location, she said."But being visible in Wai'anae, we hope, will create an awareness," she said. "And, we also wanted to give people there, in this declining economy, an opportunity to come and work for the government."Wai'anae resident and Hawaiian activist William Aila believes that having a majority of the census takers come from Nanakuli, Ma'ili, Wai'anae and Makaha will go a long way toward assuring that more residents will accept the census concept."The project will be effective if they have Native Hawaiians and residents of the community doing the work," he said. "They understand the culture. They know the people and how to find them."Census data is used to determine the need in any given location for everything from a single streetlight to such things as hospitals, schools, senior centers or libraries. Each year some $300 billion is allocated to states and communities based in part on Census figures. The data is used to decide representation in Congress and state and local governments."Participation in Census 2010 is very important because political representation and funding mechanisms for health, education and welfare are all based on data," added Fernandez.A study conducted by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement two years ago identified about $70 million aimed at Native Hawaiian programs in the state that was based in part on census data.Hanson believes that if Native Hawaiians continue to be under-counted, it could mean more than the loss of disaster service or health care funds for their communities. It could eventually lead to the ethnicity itself being lost in time — forgotten and absorbed by the mainstream.Over time, Native Hawaiians could lose more of their ethnic rights as an indigenous group, she said."The outcome of Census 2010 will impact 10 more years of our lifetime," she said. "This is money that is due us just for living and residing in the state of Hawai'i. We need to do this to get our fair share."
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  • You know Miliaulani...I am working with Halau Lokahi to do some things to get more students on board but also to upgrade the possible projects and curriculum that is available to them. Halau Lokahi is one of the few that goes to every demonstration for our sovereignty, and their oli is beyone words. Kumu Hina Wong is incredible...but what she does best, along with being an unbelivable kumu...is INSTILL self-confidence in keiki who need it. They are the most composed, confident, self-assured group of kids I have seen...ever! Knowing that someone believes in you does wonders...we need to really encourage our young, encourage our teenagers...and NOT forget our kupuna as they hold the wisdom. This push for traditional "education" has not helped everyone. As a grad of KS...I was lucky in some ways...not in others. I had good grades, never cut out, was on a work scholarship (we didn't have money), but there was not one day where I felt like NOT going to school. I loved it. My classmates were the kindest people I had ever met...and still are.

    I would not have survived Kailua High School, the alternative for me. At Halau Lokahi they learn hawaiian values, the 3 r's, and much more. They are an inspiration to me. I am actually headed out to a friend's house who will be helping me edit some footage to put up on Olelo tv for next wed. at 7:30. These kids are the ones many didn't know what to do with. Not your typical academic types. But, believe me...they shine. A couple of grads just finished building a wa'a and launched it at Kaiona Beach in Waimanalo...with a lauhala sail made in the village that Mau Pialug is from. Unreal.
    There is much to be proud of and much work to do. We cannot be lazy...we need to keep doing something positive.

    Mahalo for your good words...I am painfully aware of the plight of our people...that's why I keep this up. It HAS to change.
    Donna
  • "It will not end till we stop playing INTO their games of control. That much I can say. We need to take responsibility for our lives, find a way to survive w/out them. It can and must be done. We are a smart people and will find a way."

    I can agree with you on that. It is called resiliency...our kupuna had that. I think for many, there is a sense of hopelessness. They have to get beyond that and learn to have faith in their own capabilities that don't have to mirror the American way. Easier said than done, I know. I have been fortunate to be raised in a family where hopelessness didn't exist and I was taught or shown that hard work and imagination could get you where you wanted to go. I had parents that weren't drug or alcohol addicted and I had a large, loving extended family that helped raise me and my siblings. We were far from perfect but I was fortunate nonetheless. When a household is afflicted with poverty, addiction, abuse...it is much harder to pull oneself out of that cycle unless there is a loving, encouraging adult to give a hand up and out of that kind of life.

    The problems affecting our people are complex and many. There are no simple answers. I agree with you tho that we have to help ourselves and each other, the Hawaiian way, as a community.
  • We all have choices and some are very difficult. My sister was so poor at one time they ate fruit that fell from trees, picked up and ate what they could find. They had a son, but refused to take federal money. Times are hard, but I find there are options other than taking from the people that just robbed your house and slapped you around when you came home to discover them there. Enough is enough.

    Thanks for your thoughtful responses. It will not end till we stop playing INTO their games of control.
    That much I can say. We need to take responsibility for our lives, find a way to survive w/out them.
    It can and must be done. We are a smart people and will find a way.
    Donna
  • Aloha Donna,

    I totally kako'o your mana'o. I agree with you about taking handouts from the feds as it fosters a relationship of wardship. However, when we have to make a choice between providing food and shelter for Hawaiian keiki, and our political position, that's a hard one and I don't know how we resolve that. While we wait for the day of de-occupation, our children suffer now. How do we reconcile that:?

    I agree with you also that we have to be ever viligent, always questioning and thinking critically about what is being said in the media. We really do need to read between the lines of news pieces such as this, to be critical thinkers and question what the underlying motives/agendas are. Maika'i no that you post these articles, opening the door for us to kukakuka.
  • Miliaulani,
    My business partner is pure hawaiian and from ka'u. We have been bus. partners for almost 30 years. She JUST got hired to help with the census...now I know because she is hawaiian. The Federal government, like OHA gets it's money from the taxation of the people. It is NOT their money, but they play like it is. They make you jump through their hoops and cater to their ways. Their ways have proven for over 116 years that they are not FOR Hawaiians. I agrue with my partner all the time. She disagrees with me. Not all us hawaiians agree. That's ok. But, I will stand firm on my position as the US has done NOTHING...NOTHING but hurt Hawaiians. From the diseases the foreigners brought in, to the usurping and take over of our Kingdom, to the misuse of funds from the lease of Lands in TRUST that the DLNR "mis-manages" to the way our people are thrown off the beach where that is the LASt place they have to go...is a SIN. Thinking that federal money will save you is like asking the fox if he'd like to spend the night...IN THE COUP. Doesn't make any sense to me. My sister has been warning me for years about "taking federal money" as it PUTS Hawaiians in their "hands". I now she what she means...and believe EVERY word.

    I am saying to ALL Hawaiians (even my business partner)...think, look, listen, read, learn, be open, question, think some more, stop, watch You Tube on all the issues, watch Olelo tv when they have panels with Jon Osorio (classmate), and listen to the whispers of our kupuna kahiko. They are trying to help us. If the Queen never relinquished her thrown, her land, her people...then WHY WOULD WE? The apology BILL (103-150) said clearly: We never relinquished our lands nor our kingdom and apologized for the US and their complicity in the CRIME of deceit, of the illegal take over. So, why the heck would we ASK THEM for one damned thing. Wake up Hawiians before it is TOO LATE. That's what I am trying to say. NO to the Akaka Bill and then...and only then, will we be in a REAL position to HELP our own people. We are a rich nation, richest in the world as a matter of fact. We just want it back and tell those feds who think they own us...that they DON'T.
    Donna
  • Donna,

    I understand where you are coming from and as Kanaka Maoli, it is difficult to trust the U.S. for anything. For someone like Kaohi who is a part of that community, she sees how the basic needs of families and especially keiki are not being met and are in dire need. If a accurate census count can generate much needed monies for that community, to help meet housing, medical and food needs (survival), than I support that.

    One thing that I disagreed with adamantly in the article was the comment about us "accepting statehood". If statehood has been so great, than why is our predominantly Hawaiian communities along the Waianae Coast in such dire condition? If Statehood was so great for our people,there wouldn't be a need for federal monies. I don't think she got the irony of her comment.

    Mahalo for your mana'o.
  • Kaohi,

    Mahalo for sharing some background about the census as you know it. So even pertaining to the census, Hawaiians are getting screwed. Is that the short of it? I think you're right that there needs to be members of that community involved in the process, in order to get real numbers. Monies for the Leeward communites is sorely needed, especially for the large population of native Hawaiian homeless all along the Waianae Coast or NOT if you believe Mufi.

    Those sweeps are just one more thorn in the side of our people. Where the f*ck does he expect the homeless to go? Deep into the valleys, amongst the brush, until the next fire runs them out? Outta sight outta mind? Where else but near the ocean would Kanaka Maoli want to live if they can't afford housing? Close to the resources that they subsist on. Makes sense to me. Today our oceanfront properties are the exclusive right of millionaire homeowners, the only ones who can afford the real estate beneath their mansions. Instead of picking opihi, gathering limu, laying net or fishing our beaches are for tourists who want to tan so they can look like a brownie, but not really be one. How funny is that except it isn't because our people are being excluded from the very places that they need access to, in order to be true to who they are.

    Mahalo for all your work out there in the trenches.
  • Miliaulani,
    This is my take on this article; I read it earlier in the day and was absolutely raging, it’s only because my degree is in Geography. First, I have to put on another hat—the sell out one. I became aware of what census was through my need for historical records. Thirdly, I realized that the census in 1990 was done by students from the university and how they counted native Hawaiians pissed me off. They used maps, parked outside on the street and observed the house and counted-- no knocking etc. In other words, if a single family dwelling was observed a count of 5 or less, even though the household had 30 people more or less. So, 30,000 native Hawaiians live in Waianae for the past 20 years. It is possible that another 10 years of 30,000 native Hawaiians in Waianae for the 2010 census. Not to mention the median income will stay the same too. Waianae community is not a poverty community, therefore, Waipahu gets the monies and it snowballs from here as far as social problems and no funds.

    Donna Burns has a point, but I live in the real world. So, I went to John Hoomanawanui for help with the homeless sweep, to grumble about UH, and share my ma’nao about the census in general and how it relates to Nanakuli and the homeless at Zablands. He came to help on the sweep day and gave me things to give to the homeless, diapers etc. We got to talking more about the census, and I shared with him about Waianae and the causes of poverty that are unaccounted. He is in charge of Big Island and he tried to get me to work under him so that I could become part of the solution (sell-out) in Waianae as far as counting the correct number of people per household, or houseless.

    In reading this article this morning, I was levied. “Hawaiians are not reluctant to fill out the census.” What the hell does “50% ...” have to do with census? “Six of every 10 census ...” were returned in 2000 that’s the problem! In 1990, I was an Asian Pacific, in 2000; I was a Pacific Islander, not native Hawaiian. The Native Hawaiian count is not my concern it is the income and number of people in a household. Hiring people that sit in a car and counting is my biggest argument with John or not of this community. I took both tests because John asked me to and I encouraged my students to do the same. I passed but not high. The whole thing cost me money, and time. It turned into a shamble etc...John couldn’t believe it, but I did-- skip the water under the bridge.

    Just to give John a taste of what I knew, I invited him to follow my journey and see things first hand. I asked him to come to Zablans beach sweep. He observed, weeks before, during, and after. To date, thanks to the Mayor’s operation Nanakuli has no poverty, no homeless, and no access to their beach. All Hawaiian plants were pulled after the sweep, no fishing, and no gathering on the entire beaches in Nanakuli. Do the math-- how many Hawaiians live in Nanakuli? Every house hold in Nanakuli has multi families. Try having multi families in Kapolei, but yet they qualify for homeless monies. They hired a Filipino for the job long before the dead line. So since this happened, I’ve been asking our Hawaiian people to volunteer to take the census. “Hawaiians ...taste, overthrow...deep hurt...statehood...” this is mixed fruit to CYA! Our political action has nothing to do with the inaccuracies that are inevitable.

    These women are your suffer jets from the 1920s, lost in time and space. John and I could not do much as far as hiring. That was long gone way before testing deadline. So, the burden is on John, to figure out where are all the homeless that lived on the beaches in Nanakuli since the 70s. In this economy whose going to walk the community for free. So, I told John to go and get a grant to at least help with training and maybe some juice and cookie money. So Donna and her opinion not really applicable, but she does have a point. I’m sure I’m going to hear from John about this article, but there is really nothing we can do at this point. Except to gather volunteers to help the census taker walk safely around our communities. To date, all of Nanakuli have no poverty—go figure this one out. Kaohi
  • Basically, the US doesn't want to fess up to the wrongs they have committed against Hawaiians so why would anything that they DO be a good thing. When I read this article...it just felt creepy to me. I heard it mentioned lately that in the past ALL census taking "lumped" Hawaiians in one big group called..."Pacific Islanders". What the heck is THAT when it is our homeland. So...it follows in my thinking that they are up to something. Why do they care so much? What's the big deal? They say so that Hawaiians can "receive benefits". Well, I don't believe it. OHA, through Kau Inoa ( that is their sign up apparatus of support) has spent millions on pushing the Akaka Bill. Why is that? Why is all of this happening?
    Well, I have read enough and spoken to enough people to have a good idea. The US is NOT giving up, and won't until they have drained the last from us and taken the last of what we have and who we are. Common sense would tell you that for them to be sooo concerned about making sure that Hawaiians GET their benefits is hogwash. Something else is up. This is merely a continuation of the illegal over throw and the bad guys are continuing the occupation of a land that is not theirs, and never way...and they know it.

    Ths US is about to push the Akaka Bill which makes us worse off than Indians...and we all know what horror has happend to THEM. I want to sometimes scream..."Wake up you Hawaiians...before it is too late!", but the Americans have done such a good job of having us lose ourselves in the process of "becoming THEM".

    That's the best I can do to explain at the moment. Everyone needs to do their homework, listen carefully and QUESTION everything. ...and then finally trust their na'au and don't be fooled.

    Donna
  • Aloha Donna,

    Forgive my naivety, but what is going on here? I am not sure what you meant by the title of your blog. Could you clarify? Is there a link to OHA, Kau Inoa and the Akaka Bill? CNHA involvement is a red flag but other than that, I am clueless about what you are referring to when you say "read between the lines".

    Mahalo,
    Miliaulani
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