HANO becomes a contact point for US Census

The Hawai‘i State Data Center, part of the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, has invited the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations to become an affiliate, which complements HANO’s strategic objective to gather and disseminate data about the nonprofit sector and the community.

“We’re looking forward to being able to provide population data, training and information specifically tailored to the needs of nonprofits,” said John Flanagan, HANO president.

HANO has added a link to the U.S. Census "QuickFacts" on Hawaii to the Resources page of the HANO web site, which provides a wealth of camparative data contrasting Hawaii with the nation as a whole and links to detailed statistics on Hawaii communities. 

Jan Nakamoto of the Data Center wrote: “One of the best (if not the best) thing about HANO is that you work closely with other nonprofits.  We really want to get the census information to nonprofit organizations so that it can be used to help others in need, for grants, etc.”

Under a joint federal-state program that began in 1978, the Hawai‘i State Data Center is the official source of U.S. Census Bureau data for the State of Hawaii. The Data Center and Census Bureau are partners in data collection, data use and data distribution. The Bureau provides the Data Center and its 22 affiliate organizations, which now include HANO, with data products, technical support, training, other assistance and an opportunity to provide input in certain census data matters.

In return, the Data Center distributes census data, assists people in using it and maintains Hawai‘i’s affiliate network. The Center, part of DBEDT’s Research and Economic Analysis Division, compiles tables and reports, maintains a website and sponsors training sessions to help census data users.

The Census Bureau will provide presenters for future HANO workshops, tailored to nonprofit applications of Census data, such as documentation of community needs and statistics to support grant proposals. HANO will also receive Census news and updates and relay them to members.