New census category
may mean more aid

Truer statistics should better reveal
native Hawaiians' needs

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

A federal agency's decision to reclassify native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders in a separate race category may lead to more federal aid for Hawaiians.

Jobie M.K.M. Yamaguchi, deputy director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, said yesterday's decision by the Office of Management and Budget is groundbreaking because federal statistics will finally reflect what's happening with the Hawaiian population.

A separate category in the 2000 U.S. Census will raise awareness of Hawaiians by the American public. Hawaiians are expected to make up 60 percent of their category, compared to 3 percent of the Asian/Pacific Island category.

The new grouping is one of five used by the office in setting race and ethnic standards used for all federal activities.

The others are white, black or African American, Asian and American Indian/Alaska native.

The changes take effect immediately.

"I think for the first time you'll start to see more accurate statistics about what the native Hawaiian experience is like," Yamaguchi said.

"When you have better information, then you're able to really see the problems. To the extent the federal government's policy is to spend the monies where the need is greatest, hopefully that will be translated into more dollars for native Hawaiians in the future in the form of federal programs," she said.

For example, Yamaguchi said, Hawaiians received more federal help for housing immediately after a study by the Housing and Urban Development agency in 1995 documented the severe housing shortage Hawaiians faced compared with other ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, although the next census won't offer a "multiracial" category, those of mixed ancestry will be able to list themselves in as many racial categories as apply. Sally Katzen, head of OMB's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, said allowing people to choose more than one category will provide a more detailed and accurate picture of the population.

For example, some might check "white and American Indian," others "Asian and Native Hawaiian" or "black and Asian."

Some will check just one category, others two or more. Golfer Tiger Woods, for example, could check four categories since his background combines Asian, black, American Indian and white ancestry.

The new categories will be required for use in all federal statistical programs by 2003.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.