I write you today on a critical issue for our Hawai‘i and country: our upcoming Census.

Our Constitution requires us to count every person living in our country every ten years. Our 2020 Census will take place across our state and country this April 1^st.

The Census is about not only how many we are and where we live, but who we are. We rely on Census information to determine national and local voting districts and to develop sound policies to address real needs.

We also use Census information widely to determine where and how to direct what federal funds in critical areas like health, education, veterans, seniors, infrastructure and much more. See for example the attached report which identifies over $3.6 billion in federal spending for Hawai‘i in Fiscal Year 2016 from federal programs largely guided by data from our last Census in 2010.

Yet our Hawai‘i is especially at risk from an incomplete and inaccurate Census. We are unique in many ways and we have many groups that have been traditionally undercounted in the Census. We need a full and accurate Census to ensure federal policies are fully responsive to our needs and federal support is fair, equitable and targeted.

Your team in Congress needs your help. For your families and communities, please be fully counted this year. The U.S. Census Bureau will be contacting you. Your individual information is completely confidential and under federal law cannot be used for any other purpose. Please visit www.2020census.gov for further information.

The Census is also still looking for temporary workers to help administer the Census throughout Hawai‘i at wages starting at $21.50/hour. Hours can be flexible and there are preferences for veterans and bilingual speakers. Here’s the info: https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html.

May I also please ask you to forward my e-newsletter to your lists to spread the word. Please contact me at https://case.house.gov/contact/ or call my Honolulu office at (808) 650-6688 with any questions on the Census or anything else.

Mahalo for your efforts to make 2020 our best Census yet for our Hawai‘i and country!

Please also sign up for my regular e-newsletter at https://case.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe  and follow my social media accounts for a closer look at my daily activities both in Hawai‘i and Washington, DC. You can find me @RepEdCase on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or you can use the links at the right-hand sidebar above. There is also more information on me, my office, activities , record and services I can provide for you and your ‘ohana at my website (case.house.gov).

As always, I am honored to present our Hawai‘i and you in Congress and hope to see or hear from you soon. Mahalo!