In this essay, the author examines the attitudes that people in Hawai'i have about Hawai'i Creole. The author first describes the background of the language and explores educators' views from the 1920s to 1940s about Hawai'i Creole (HC), which was first viewed as the the "Pidgin problem" in Hawai'i. The frustrations expressed by educators might help to reveal why people believe that the "Pidgin problem" is still present today. In this essay, the author focuses on the connections people have made with HC and their own identity. In order to understand why the HC issue continues today the author decided to interview residents of Hawai'i. The author sought to understand the different values people hold towards this language. The people being interviewed considered themselves to be middle class, and that had a strong influence on their attitudes toward Hawai'i Creole. The persistence of this language issue reveals an interesting conflict that lies beneath the surface of Hawai'i's local culture. It reveals that people in Hawai'i are still divided on issues of material success and local identity. The interviews reveal that many HC speakers are affected unconsciously by numerous factors that challenge their identities. Ironically, HC serves as a means of identifying local culture that translates variously into a source of pride and shame.