text: What would you describe as most parts of the world? Do those parts of the world have tension with westerners?
  
  As far as assimilation goes, my last name is Hartsfield, meaning I am of "Euro-American" descent. I know first-hand that assimilation is totally possible, and my family and many families I know are proof of that.
  
  It's an extreme to say that locals of Hawaii, or Guam, or anywhere else with tension towards westerners, don't take it as a sign of respect that someone is trying to learn their language. The underlying issue is the racial tension, which can lead some locals to question the sincerity of westerners trying to mingle into the culture. Learning to speak a language is superficial and isn't enough to build trust with a community. 
  
  It is not anti-haole racism at play. It is an issue of trust between an individual and community, and trust is something that is earned through actions, not words.