LIHU‘E — As of Thursday, just half of Kaua‘i households that received their 2010 census forms mailed them back, according to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/, the U.S. Census Web site. The North Shore census tract from Moloa‘a to Ha‘ena had the lowest response rate,
LIHU‘E — As of Thursday, just half of Kaua‘i households that received their 2010 census forms mailed them back, according to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/, the U.S. Census Web site.
The North Shore census tract from Moloa‘a to Ha‘ena had the lowest response rate, at 34 percent, according to a county press release.
Other return rates for Kaua‘i as of last week were: Anahola, 46 percent; Kapa‘a, 50 percent; Wailua Homesteads and Wailua Houselots, 54 percent; Puhi and Hanama‘ulu, 51 percent; Lihu‘e, 65 percent; Koloa and Po‘ipu, 36 percent; Kalaheo and ‘Ele‘ele, 60 percent; Hanapepe and Kaumakani, 50 percent; and Waimea and Kekaha, 52 percent.
“I encourage those who haven’t mailed back their census forms to take 10 minutes to fill out their forms and return them by mail,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
“The information collected in the census will be used to determine how much federal money we receive for our roads, schools, police, fire, housing and numerous other programs.”
Marie Williams, chair of the Kaua‘i County Complete Count Committee, noted that strict confidentiality laws protect respondents and the information they provide.
“By law, the census bureau cannot share the answers given on the census forms with anyone, including federal agencies and law-enforcement entities,” said Williams.
“The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years or both.”
Those who misplaced their census form or never received one can pick up a form from a “Be Counted” site located at the Lihu‘e 7-Eleven until April 19.
Anyone with questions on how to fill out the 2010 Census form can call a toll-free number, 866-872-6868, or visit http://2010census.gov, the 2010 census Web site.
Another option for filling out the 10-question census form is to stop by a Census Questionnaire Assistance Center at the following locations:
— Anahola Clubhouse, 3900 Kawelo St., call 822-5283 for hours;
— Kapa‘a Boys & Girls Club, 4695 Mailihuna Rd. (next to Kapa‘a High School), Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.;
— Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.;
— Big Kmart in Lihu‘e’s Kukui Marketplace along Nawiliwili Road, Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; Monday 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.;
— Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center, Monday from 10 a.m. to noon and Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon;
— Tip Top Motel & Café, 3173 ‘Akahi St. in Lihu‘e, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to noon;
— WorkWise Kaua‘i One Stop Job Center, Lihu‘e Civic Center, Pi‘ikoi Building, Monday to Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on furlough Fridays;
— Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For more information, contact the county Planning Department at 241-4067 or Penny Ono Young, 1-808-960-0712.
