Kamaaina's Broken English. Designation of local identity through the use of Hawai'i Creole English

The paper explores the stigmatization of Hawai'i Creole English (HCE), highlighting its role in expressing local identity among residents of Hawai'i. Despite being labeled as "broken English" by both Standard English speakers and some HCE users, the paper argues that this negative perception stems from social constructs rather than linguistic deficiencies. HCE serves as a marker of cultural knowledge and local identity, essential for being recognized as a kamäaina. The discussion also addresses the historical context of HCE's emergence and its relationship with Standard English.