This article examines how "Nisei," the second generation of Japanese immigrants, in Hilo on the island of Hawai'i have maintained their Japanese cultural and linguistic skills. In this article, the author first provides a history of these Japanese immigrant communities in Hilo. This article describes the author's research findings. The author then offers an analysis and explanation using the "reward system" theory proposed by Joshua A. Fishman. The author concludes with some comments on the "Nisei" use of Japanese and the special Japanese culture they uphold. (Contains a bibliography and 17 endnotes.)