Hawaii's participation in the 2010 Census, so far among the worst in the nation, is raising concerns about whether the state will again lose out on millions of dollars in federal funding.

As of yesterday, Census Day, only about 50 percent of Hawaii households had returned the census questionnaire that was mailed last month.

That puts Hawaii tied for the sixth-worst response rate in the nation. The national average was 54 percent.

Hawaii's participation in the last census, in 2000, was among the third lowest in the nation, with only about 60 percent of forms completed.

Census officials say every person not counted means about $1,200 a year in lost federal dollars for Hawaii.

“;We still have to increase awareness of the census,”; said Eugene Tian, a research and statistics officer with the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

A breakdown of response rates shows more established neighborhoods on Oahu, including much of East Honolulu, Pearl City and Mililani, have the highest return rate of more than 60 percent. The neighbor islands, in particular Molokai, Kauai's north shore and East and West Maui, have the lowest response rates of less than 30 percent.

On Oahu the North Shore, Kapolei, Ewa and Makaha have the lowest response rates.

Kapolei was also among the areas with low census response rates in 2000, Tian said.

“;Kapolei lost out last time,”; he said. “;And as the area grew, they didn't get their fair share of services and moneys.”;

The 2010 Census will also determine representation in the City Council, state Legislature and Congress, Tian said.

Tian said residents in newer neighborhoods might not be as familiar with the census as are people who have lived in the same home for decades and have filled out the census before.

Census returns were also low in tourist areas, which might have more transient or part-time residents, like Waikiki, Kihei, Lahaina and Poipu.

Another factor in Hawaii's low response rate could be the number of immigrants from non-English-speaking countries.

“;There are a lot of people who, one, just don't understand the census is important and, two, don't understand what they are getting in the mail,”; Tian said.

Military bases also have a low response rate, but Roberta Wong Murray, a media specialist with the Hawaii census, said census takers will be sent out to the bases, college dorms and nursing homes in the next few weeks to make sure they are counted.

Households that have not returned their forms by mail in the next few weeks also will be visited by census takers, she said.

Tian noted that it will cost the federal government about $60 to $70 per form to send census takers out to households, so it saves taxpayer money to send back the forms by mail.

Wong Murray is still optimistic Hawaii will be thoroughly counted once the census is completed in a few months.

“;I see the glass as half full,”; she said, noting that Hawaii is ahead of where the state was 10 years ago. “;We're only sixth lowest in the nation, as compared to third lowest,”; she said.

>> Neighbor Island response rates
>> Mail participation rate