Honolulu is the best city in the U.S., according to the Mercer 2010 Quality of Living Survey.

Yep, we beat out every other U.S. city.

Of course, there were 30 cities around the world, led by Vienna, Austria, that Mercer declares more livable than Honolulu, but it is unlikely those cities all have 7-Eleven stores offering Spam musubi 24/7.

Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of New York-based Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., specializing in human resources and related financial advice, products and services. It prepares an annual ranking of cities around the world to help companies fairly compensate employees in divergent locales.

New York City is the survey's base city, with an assigned value of 100 points. Cities are compared using identical criteria to determine their scores. Top-ranked Vienna scored 108.6, while 31st-ranked Honolulu got 103.1 points.

“;To ensure their expatriates are compensated appropriately and an adequate hardship allowance is included in their benefits package, companies seek a clear picture of the quality of living in these cities,”; Slagin Parakatil, senior researcher at Mercer, said in a statement. “;We have reviewed our index to reflect these developments and it now better represents the cities that most interest our clients.”;

Hmm, so maybe 24/7 Spam musubi availability is not exactly a top priority for employees of the multinational corporations that rely on Mercer data.

While Honolulu was the top U.S. city, among the Americas, Canadian cities dominate with Vancouver, British Columbia, at No. 4; Ottawa at No. 14; Toronto at No. 16; Montreal at No. 21; and Calgary, Alberta, at No. 28, all ranking higher.

Among U.S. cities, right on Honolulu's slippah-clad heels are San Francisco at 32nd; Boston at 37th; Chicago and Washington, D.C., tied for 45th; New York at 49th; and Seattle at No. 50. Philadelphia and Dallas, among six new cities added to the survey this year, are ranked 55th and 61st, respectively.

Mercer also generated eco-rankings this year, rating cities' livability based on water availability and drinkability, waste removal, quality of sewage systems, air pollution and traffic congestion, and Honolulu came in second at 145.1 points, right behind Calgary.

“;A certain standard of sustainability is essential for city living and forms a very important part of its inhabitants' quality of living,”; Parakatil said. “;Though a high standard of living may be taken for granted in certain cities, a lack thereof is much more noticeable and can even lead to severe hardship.”;

JOLLIBEE DELAYED

The opening of Philippines-based Jollibee and Red Ribbon BakeShop at Waipahu Shopping Plaza has been delayed.

The eatery and bakery also will be joined by other Hawaii locations, confirmed Merle Caleon, Hawaii operations manager, but it's too early to say where.

The company hoped to open next month or in July, as reported here in January, but opening dates for businesses, especially restaurants, are moving targets.

Design adjustments require layers of approvals, so the proposed opening has been pushed to about October.