Honolulu ranks 17th out of the 50 most-populous cities for its sustainable and healthy practices, a report released yesterday shows.

The rankings by Sustainlane. com, an online community dedicated to sustainable living, factor in each city's ability to maintain healthy air, drinking water, parks and public transit systems, as well as green building, farmers' markets, renewable energy and alternative fuels.

Honolulu was first for air quality, and also ranked in the top 10 for sustainability advances in city commuting, solid waste diversification, and local food and agriculture. Honolulu ranked in the bottom 10 - or sustainability in danger category - for housing affordability, natural disaster risk and metro street congestion.

“;Honolulu could greatly increase its sustainable factor once it develops incentive programs for green building and harnesses more energy from ample sunshine and wind,”; the report stated.

Highlighted were Honolulu's waste-to-energy technologies and consideration of a rapid transit line to reduce traffic congestion.

Portland, Ore., ranked first, followed by San Francisco and Seattle. Mesa, Ariz., was ranked at the bottom.

The report integrates 2,000 data points from public and nongovernmental organizations including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Census and Environmental Working Group. The study also includes primary research conducted with more than 100 city officials and experts.