Honolulu, Oahu, HI 1 of 10 Active Retirement Communities Location


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Honolulu, Oahu, HI 1 of 10 Active Retirement Communities Location

Ivan Gillis

Active Retirement Communities

State: Hawaii

Island: Oahu

City: Honolulu

Honolulu is the capital of and the most populous (CDP) in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Although Honolulu refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and the county are consolidated, known as the City and County of Honolulu, and the city and county is designated as the entire island. The City and County of Honolulu is the only incorporated city in Hawaii, as all other local government entities are administered at the county level. The population of the CDP was 371,657 at the 2000 census, while the population of the City and County was 909,863. In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter."

The UK consulting firm Mercer, in a 2009 assessment "conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments", ranked Honolulu 29th worldwide in quality of living; the survey factored in political stability, personal freedom, sanitation, crime, housing, the natural environment, recreation, banking facilities, availability of consumer goods, education, and public services including transportation.

Honolulu is in a Wet and Dry Tropical zone with a dry summer season. Nonetheless, its annual precipitation is low, bordering on a semi-arid climate, and the city receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Despite its location in the tropics, the climate (temperature, precipitation and humidity) is moderated by Hawaii's mid-ocean location.

Most of the city's commercial and industrial developments are located on a narrow but relatively flat coastal plain, while numerous ridges and valleys located inland of the coastal plain divide Honolulu's residential areas into distinct neighborhoods: some spread along valley floors (like Manoa in Manoa Valley) and others climb the interfluvial ridges. Within Honolulu proper can be found several volcanic cones: Punchbowl, Diamond Head, Koko Head (includes Hanauma Bay), Koko Crater, Salt Lake, and Aliamanu being the most conspicuous.

Honolulu has the nation's second highest metropolitan travel time during peak commute hours, second from Los Angeles.

Established by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi, Honolulu's TheBus system has been twice honored by the American Public Transportation Association bestowing the title of "America's Best Transit System" for 1994--1995 and 2000--2001. TheBus operates 107 routes serving Honolulu and outlying areas on Oahu with a fleet of 531 buses, and is run by the non-profit corporation Oahu Transit Services in conjunction with the city Department of Transportation Services. Honolulu is ranked 4th for highest per-capita use of mass transit in the United States.

Established in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Other classical music ensembles include the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Honolulu is also a center for Hawaiian music. The main music venues include the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall, the Waikiki Shell, and the Hawaii Theatre.

Income & Housing Costs Numbers:

Estimated median household income in 2008: $60,531 (it was $45,112 in 2000)

Honolulu:	$60,531
Hawaii:	$67,214

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $606,800 (it was $317,300 in 2000)

Honolulu:	$606,800
Hawaii:	$560,200

Mean prices in 2008: All housing units: $711,041; Detached houses: $915,487; Townhouses or other attached units: $778,329; In 2-unit structures: $637,161; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $423,012; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $404,966

Median gross rent in 2008: $1,181.

Dec. 2009 cost of living index in Honolulu: 180.2 (very high, U.S. average is 100)

In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

· Climate Charts

1. Average Temperature

2. Precipitation (Rain)

3. Humidity

4. Wind Speed (MPH)

5. Snowfall

6. Sunshine

7. Cloudy Days

· Tornado Activity History

· Hospitals & Medical

· Airports

· Colleges/Universities