As part of a larger study of the demographics, family, household, health, diet, activity, functioning, and mental ability of older Japanese people living in Hawaii which will be compared to similar studies conducted in Japan, personality data were obtained from 101 noninstitutionalized Japanese with an average age of 92 years, residing in Hawaii. Data were obtained by home interviews with the assistance of a close family member or caregiver who rated the subject on five personality traits (Cooperative, Expressive, Tenacious, Introvert, Sensitive) consisting of eight components per trait. The subjects received markedly higher scores in Cooperative and Tenacious traits than in the other three traits. Identical findings were obtained from Japanese studies on similar-aged populations. A reasonable hypothesis is that these two traits characterize longevous individuals because of their survivalistic and adaptational functions. There was a positive correlation between the Cooperative and Tenacious traits, and no positive correlations between these traits and the remaining three traits. There were highly significant negative correlations between the Cooperative trait and the three "non-survivalistic" traits. Cooperative and Tenacious traits were also associated with better physical, mental, and social function. (NB)