Ethnolinguistic vitality, communication accommodation, and markedness model frameworks guided research assessing language ideologies, practices, and criticism among multi-ethnic Locals in the Hawaiian Islands. Results from Study 1 indicated that respondents draw from widespread ideologies that influence them to employ Standard English in professional situations and Hawai'i Creole English during informal exchanges. Violations of respective group norms are evaluated negatively and may be responded to with language criticism. Results from Study 2 demonstrated that language criticism takes place in familial, social, educational, and professional situations. Language Criticism Response Scales were constructed to measure responses. When encountering speech criticism, people exhibited a range of responses, from avoidant to aggressive. Study 3 measured the impact of race and power on evaluations of, and responses to, language criticism. The exposure varied Local and Haole race group membership, in addition to Equal and High power status of the criticizer. Racial group membership of the criticizer predicted lower evaluations of a critical person, in that critical Haoles were evaluated less favorably than critical Locals. Racial group membership of the criticizer predicted evaluations of identification with Hawai'i, in that Haoles were evaluated as having less identification than Locals. High power status of the criticizer predicted less assertiveness for hypothetical communication responses. Haoles who were of equal-power status were responded to with more assertiveness or aggressiveness than Locals who were of equal-power status. Theoretical advances and a receiver model of language criticism processes are proffered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]