17. Honolulu, HI

Almost Paradise

Honolulu, HI: Almost Paradise

Just in case you needed one more reason to visit Honolulu, Hawai’i—other than the breezy, cloudless 80-degree weather, the surf, and gorgeous views of the dormant volcano Diamond Head—we’ve got one: the air. You can breathe deeply in Honolulu, which again tops SustainLane’s rankings for air quality.

Located more than 2,000 ocean miles from the nearest large city, the Pacific island city’s top environment official says Honolulu should become “the model for sustainability, or risk catastrophe.” To this end, the city adopted its first sustainability plan in 2007. It’s exploring innovative waste-to-energy technologies to complement a more-than 50-percent solid waste diversion rate, and in fall 2008, residents will vote on a rapid transit line that could reduce traffic congestion and combat the city’s drive-alone rate. Honolulu could greatly increase its sustainable factor once it develops incentive programs for green building and harnesses more energy from ample sunshine and wind.

(Photo by Ron Reiring)

Honolulu's Rankings

Honolulu sustainlability rankings chart Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.
Honolulu, HI: City Charts

Stories and Perspectives

Honolulu Cyclist Calls for Better Bikeways

Honolulu Cyclist Calls for Better Bikeways

Submitted by Maria Lebron

I love my bike. Love, love, love it. If I could marry it I would. It is my first, my last, my everything. I used to live in Lake Tahoe, and I can say I have ridden my bike at least once in every single month of a calendar year. The second that the sun came out and the streets were clear, I would ride in the cold, cold, sun of January, February you name it. In the summer, I rode every single day. It was the happiest time of my life. I knew every inch of the ground in that town, every pot hole, every hill. I knew exactly how my bike and I would react to all of it.more »

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Honolulu Talk

Terralani P.

Review of Ohana Doggie Day Care

1 star rating

Worst EVER I would give this place zero or negative stars if I could. When my dog came out of there, he was terrified and not himself at all. He wouldn't eat for almost two days after his... more »

John D.

Discussion: Honolulu Cyclist Calls for Better Bikeways

Many thanks for the replies, Ken It is easy to shift back & forth from the concept of "sustainability" to that of "quality of life", today. "we believe that Honolulu -- as... more »

Ken O.

Discussion: Honolulu Cyclist Calls for Better Bikeways

Hi John, Thanks for your feedback. As you know, we have no control over what newspapers, politicians or activists do with our study. The study is a public service to America's... more »

Cities Compared
Cities Compared: Coastal vs. Inland Cities

Cities Compared: Coastal vs. Inland Cities

How does being near a coast affect how cities perform? Take a look at how coastal cities compare to inland ones.

It is better far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. —Carl Sagan

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