Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: What year was the first U.S. census taken in the state of Hawaii or what previously was the territory of Hawaii? Are these records available for public consumption? Early 1900s census data
is available to the publicAnswer: Hawaii was included in the 1900 U.S. census, following its annexation to the United States in 1898.
"The 1900 census was limited to those questions asked for all the population in 1890, with only minor changes in content. The period, however, featured the first U.S. censuses outside the continental states and territories," according to "200 Years of Census Taking: Population and Housing Questions, 1790-1990," published in 1989 by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Census Bureau publishes detailed summaries of data from various geographic units in printed reports, computer tape and cartridges, diskettes, compact discs and online (www.census.gov). The latest publications (most of which can be purchased) are described in the annual Census Catalog and Guide. A separate catalog is also available in many libraries, listing reports from 1790 to 1972. You can contact the Customer Services Center, Marketing Services Office, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233 (phone 301-457-4100, fax 301-457-4714), about these publications.
Meanwhile, the public also can access individual records, but only 72 years after the date they were collected. Individual records from the federal censuses must be kept confidential for 72 years, under Title 44 of the U.S. Code. The National Archives in Washington, D.C., released the 1930 records to public viewing on April 1.
The Hawaii State Library, at King and Punchbowl streets, has Hawaii census data for 1900, 1910 and 1920 and, at last check, was hoping to receive the 1930 Hawaii data soon.
The Census Bureau will release details from more recent files only in the form of official transcripts -- and for a fee -- but only to the named persons, their heirs or legal representatives.
"Since by law this census information is confidential and collected only for statistical purposes, it is exempt from the disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act," according to the bureau. "This means that no one can gain access to confidential census records or avoid the search fees through these acts."
The bureau points out that the transcripts ordinarily show age (not birth date) at the time of the census, gender, relationship to the householder and, where requested, race. State or country of birth (but not place), citizenship or occupation may also be listed.
Also, the records are organized geographically, rather than by name, so except for those censuses that have indexes, addresses are necessary to find them.
Transcript application forms can be gotten from various sources, including the Personal Census Search Unit, U.S. Census Bureau, P.O. Box 1545, Jeffersonville, IN 47131 (phone 812-218-3046, fax 812-288-3371), as well as through many Social Security and post offices.
Auwe
To the city. I understand some city departments have moved from town to Kapolei, but the old phone numbers don't have a forwarding number for the public to call. How are people supposed to get in contact with them when they have questions about city services? What departments have moved and where? -- A peevish taxpayer(The problem has since been rectified. If you call the old numbers, a recording will give you the new numbers, according to Doug Woo of the Department of Customer Services. Now in Kapolei are the administrative offices of the Department of Facility Maintenance; the entire Department of Parks & Recreation; most of the Department of Environmental Services; appraisers, support staff and tax maps for the Department of Budget & Fiscal Services; Section 8 of the Department of Community Services; and one person from the Department of Information Technology.)
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