Honolulu was ranked 17th on the list of America's Most Sustainable Cities as determined by SustainLane Media, a network devoted to "companies, individuals and families interested in healty, more sustainable living."

The organization uses 16 economic, environmental and green/clean technology categories to determine the rankings.

Honolulu ranked 15th in last year's rankings.

The rankings praised the city for "exploring innovative waste-to-energy technologies to complement a more-than 50-percent solid waste diversion rate."

The study said the city "could greatly increase its sustainable factor once it develops incentive programs for green building and harnesses more energy from ample sunshine and wind."

The study also noted that Honolulu voters will be deciding on a mass transit project in November "that could reduce traffic congestion and combat the city's drive-alone rate."

Honolulu ranked first in one category: air quality.

The top ranking this year went to Portland, Oregon. It was followed by San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York.

For more, go to http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/.