HONOLULU — Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono is urging Hawaii residents to participate in the 2010 Census.

She said Tuesday in a news release that those who do will be adding their voices to the shaping of their community’s future.
The island Democrat says Hawaii was greatly underrepresented in the 2000 Census.
Hirono says with only 60 percent of households reporting, Hawaii lost out on an estimated $300 million in federal funding.
She says those who participate this year could bring improvements to Hawaii’s schools, hospitals and transportation systems, as well as opportunities for small businesses.
Hirono reminded Hawaii residents that by law, the U.S. Census Bureau can’t share answers with anyone, including the IRS, FBI, CIA or any other government agency.