COUNT ME IN

Difficult to fill out the Census form if it never reaches the Post Office box

With a dismal 61 percent return rate, Hawaii has one of the lowest Census participation rates, ranking No. 44 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Uh, not to make excuses—but maybe reports of some Hawaii residents not receiving their Census forms have something to do with that? It seems that Census forms aren't mailed to P.O. boxes. Also, people who live in buildings that are a mixed-use of commercial and residential units might not have gotten their forms.

At any rate, those who need a Census survey can call the Honolulu Census Office at 535-0920 or Waianae Census Office at 697-7220. Or go online to www.2010.census.gov for more information.

Hurry, time is running out. Tomorrow is the deadline to return the survey; come May 1, Census takers will start going door-to-door of non-responding homes, a proposition that can quickly add up in cost.

A SPOT OF TEA

These are taxing times indeed

Now, it's all about turnout. The Grassroots Institute of Hawaii spread the word far and wide that “;thousands of angry taxpayers”; would gather at the state Capitol today from 4 to 7 p.m. to protest high taxes and “;out-of-control spending by county, state and national governments.”;

Some 2,000 people attended Honolulu's first Tax Day Tea Party last year, the institute said. So it's safe to assume that a gathering smaller than that would be deemed disappointing. And if a much bigger crowd shows up? Well, that would definitely send a message to the folks upstairs.