For Immediate Release: February 9, 2006
DBEDT Release News 06-05

Honolulu--The workshop, Meeting the Demand for Annual Hawaii Data - the American Community Survey will be conducted Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at the Keoni Ana Building, corner of Alakea and South Beretania Streets in downtown Honolulu. The workshop will focus on accessing the Census Bureau's America Community Survey to obtain Hawaii data.

Cosponsored by DBEDT and the U.S. Census Bureau's LA Regional Office, this 3-hour hands-on computer training session will be presented twice during the day to accommodate the expected demand from participants.

"We know the community needs the most current data available to make decisions affecting Hawaii's businesses and population," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "This timely data gives both businesses and non-profit agencies an opportunity to more accurately target areas where marketing efforts and funding may be best utilized."

The American Community Survey (ACS) will replace the census long form used every 10 years. It was developed in response to the need for economic, social, demographic and housing data on a more frequent basis. It is done on an annual basis and is the most detailed population and household survey between decennial census years.

Some examples of information collected by the ACS are data on place of birth, number of people who changed residence over the past year, household income, employment, occupation and owner versus renter characteristics.

The workshop will provide you with information about the advantages as well as the limitations of the American Community Survey, which continues to change and grow. You will learn how to access the various ACS data and products such as:

• Ranking tables by states, counties and places
• Time series for selected state level data
• Selected population profiles, including selected race group profiles
• New cross-tabulations not available in the Census 2000
• Customized data for your analyses

Participants will be assisted through a case study using the data.

ACS data is now available for the State of Hawaii, the City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu MSA, Honolulu Census Designated Place, and Congressional District 1. More areas will join this list in the coming years. The most recent Hawaii data are for 2004 while 2005 data are forthcoming. In 2004, about 4,300 households on Oahu were surveyed by the Census Bureau, covering about 11,000 persons.

The main presenter, Mr. Jerry Wong, is an Information Specialist with the Los Angeles Regional Office of the Census Bureau. Mr. Wong has 28 years of experience working with various groups on the uses of census data both in Hawaii as well as California.

A second presentation will focus on the website DataPlace. DataPlace is a free online source for housing and demographic data about your community, your region, and the nation. With DataPlace, you can analyze, interpret, and apply Census 2000 and selected other datasets available on that site to make educated decisions and inform others. DataPlace makes it easier than ever before to access and display this information in colorful, customizable maps, charts, tables and other formats.

Mr. Al Carter, an Operations Specialist with the Honolulu Field Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will guide you through this valuable Internet site. He has been with HUD for the past eight years and currently works for the Field Office Director in the areas of management, customer service, and web site coordination.

Space is limited, so interested participants are urged to sign up soon for one of the two, 3-hour workshop sessions.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov