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Faleomavaega urges Pacific Islanders to back 2000 Census By Craig DeSilva For Saipan Tribune
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Posted on Mar 20 2000
HONOLULU, Hawaii — U.S. Representative Eni F.H. Faleomavaega of America Samoa is urging all Pacific Islanders in the United States to fill out their 2000 Census survey, which will be mailed out to residents this month.
“It’s very important to our native Hawaiian and Pacific Island community to participate in this survey,” said Faleomavaega.
“We thank Senator Akaka for his work with the Office of Management and Office in the White House to add an additional category in the census data base to include native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders as a separate category.”
During the last census count taken 10 years ago, native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were lumped into the same category as Asian Americans.
As a result, there was an undercount of about 5 million people in the U.S., a majority of them from minority groups. A documented 21,000 were not counted in Hawaii. Faleomavaega said accurate representation is important if Pacific Islanders are to receive valuable federal dollars for social programs.
“As an example, of the 25 major grant programs that are involved, 22 of them alone are worth $165 billion that is to be distributed to the various states and territories,” he said. “The amount of money depends on the count of the census. If you’re not counted, you might lose resources. I hope the Pacific Island community takes heed and fills out these forms.”
Faleomavaega participated in a hearing regarding the U.S. Census on Tuesday at the East-West Center. The hearing was chaired by U.S. Senator Dan Akaka, a Hawaii democrat.
Representatives from the native Hawaiian community as well as representatives from Samoa and Guam were invited to give testimony.
Also in attendance were Hawaii Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Clayton Hee.
