Noelani Higa and Pomai Lyman with baby Nakana, Hilo Medical Center's Census baby. (Photo courtesy of Hilo Medical Center)

Special to Hawaii 24/7 by Elena Cabatu

WHAT: April 1, 2010 was Census Day, the official day of the population count.

WHY: Even the smallest among us count. Meet the “Census Babies,” born between midnight and 11:59 p.m., April 1, 2010. These children are the last to be counted in the 2010 Census. Children born on April 2, 2010 will not be counted until the 2020 Census. The lives of these newborns will change dramatically in the next 10 years. When the next Census arrives, these children will have gone through pre-school and elementary school and will soon be ready for middle school. Their needs will change. They will needs parks and other green areas to play, libraries to study and youth centers to socialize. Accurate census data will ensure these services will materialize for Hawaii’s keiki.

BABY: Hilo Medical Center’s Census Baby was a boy, Nakana Lyman, born 4:10 pm April 1, 2010. He weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces and measured 19 inches. His proud parents are Noelani Higa and Pomai Lyman.

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3. Census Bureau projects U.S. population of 308.4 Million on New Year’s Day
4. Census Bureau to be collecting information starting in February
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