I was reminded of a family story about my mother's first trip to my grandparents' house in Ohio in the mid-1960s. Of course, being classified as a local in Hawai ' i does not provide freedom from discrimination. Clearly, we live in a race-conscious society. However, identifying differences is not inherently discriminatory. The ability to differentiate is a useful tool that is acquired at an early age.
Language is another obvious aspect of local culture.
My parents often tell another story about a family trip to Poka ' i Bay. My father saw my mother running up the beach toward him and couldn't see me. My parents saw my ability to speak pidgin as a skill, choosing to support and nurture that skill rather than discourage it. Not all pidgin speakers have been as fortunate. My father's academic training, and his appreciation for local culture, eventually led him to develop an expertise in pidgin that has been recognized in court proceedings.