HONOLULU (KHON2) — In a groundbreaking study, Honolulu has made the list of the top 10 U.S. cities where the first person to live to 150 years old might already be born.

Honolulu, ranked #7, is one of the few places where it is possible that someone will reach this extraordinary milestone.

The factors contributing to Hawaiʻi’s prominence in this ranking speak to the unique combination of community, lifestyle and health resources that make life in the islands distinctive.

Bert Sperling is the founder and analyst behind Bestplaces.com which conducted the study. He said the research is not about simply identifying the healthiest or longest-living people.

Instead, the ranking considers a broader set of circumstances that could help sustain life well into the future.

Sperling noted that while it’s easy to imagine someone living to 100, thinking about someone making it to 150 requires a more nuanced approach.

“It’s really about livability, not just health. It’s about quality of life,” Sperling said. “What we found in this study is that longevity is not just about being healthy. It’s about community, lifestyle and even access to good healthcare.”

Honolulu, like many other cities in the top 10, benefits from its overall health-conscious environment. The city’s low smoking rates, excellent air quality and healthy habits, such as regular physical activity and fresh, local food, are all factors that contribute to the possibility of living longer lives.

Hawaiʻi’s emphasis on a healthy lifestyle aligns well with what the study discovered.

“The social environment really stands out in places like Hawaiʻi,” Sperling points out. “In Hawaiʻi, there’s a feeling of connection — of ‘ohana’ — of a strong family and community bond that influences not just how people live but how well they live.”

This deep sense of community is one of the key elements of longevity, according to the study. Hawaiʻi’s culture promotes support networks that encourage social interaction, emotional well-being and a sense of purpose. And these are all factors that positively influence longevity.

Furthermore, Hawaiʻi’s remarkable life expectancy speaks volumes about the overall environment. The state’s life expectancy is amongst the highest in the United States, but what makes Honolulu unique is its combination of other qualities that lead to this high ranking.

One of these factors, Sperling suggested, is the robust healthcare system, which gives residents reliable access to medical resources when needed.

“Hawaiʻi is a place where the environment supports longevity, and it’s also where healthcare access is strong,” Sperling explained. “People have the chance to live well; and when they need medical interventions, those interventions are available.”

While the ranking highlights positive factors like healthcare and a health-conscious lifestyle, Sperling acknowledges that the factors are multifaceted and holistic.

He discussed how his own personal experience with healthcare influenced his outlook on the importance of medical advancements in helping people live longer.

“In my own case, about 10 years ago, I was told to ‘get my affairs in order,’” Sperling recounted. “But thanks to medical technology and interventions, I’m doing really well. That’s a big part of this study. The combination of modern medicine and a healthy lifestyle can help people live not just longer, but better.”

Hawaiʻi’s reputation for embracing wellness is not limited to Western medicine. Many people in the state incorporate traditional practices alongside modern healthcare. It’s common in Hawaiʻi for people to take insulin for diabetes while also using remedies like bitter melon, known for its health benefits.

Sperling acknowledged this holistic approach to health in Hawaiʻi and recognizes it as one of the unique aspects that might contribute to a longer life.

“There are other places with wellness practitioners and alternative medicine,” he says, “but in Hawaiʻi, there’s this synergy between the traditional and the modern. There’s something special about Hawaiʻi. It’s something special.”

This combination of culture, healthcare and environment is precisely why Honolulu ranks highly in the study. Sperling emphasized that it’s not just one thing that could lead to someone reaching 150 but a combination of factors.

“It’s about the whole package,” he said. “It’s about having a strong community, staying active and having access to care when it’s needed.”

While Honolulu is ranked #7, it is far from the only city on the list of top contenders. Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Seattle are just a few cities that join Honolulu in the race toward reaching this incredible age.

But the study indicated that Honolulu’s unique combination of physical environment and community bonds give it a strong edge.

The idea that someone born today might reach 150 years old is an exciting and thought-provoking one. The possibility of living a century and a half challenges the very idea of aging.

However, Sperling was quick to remind us that while living to 150 might sound unbelievable, the study points out that it’s not just about the extraordinary. It’s about the ordinary, too.

“We may not all live to 150,” Sperling said, “but the key takeaway here is that as a society, we should focus on living longer and healthier lives. The ultimate goal is not just to live a long time but to live well.”

Hawaiʻi’s ranking as a top place for longevity is a reminder of what the islands offer in terms of health, community and overall well-being.

You can click here to read the study.

As Sperling put it, “There’s something special about Hawaiʻi.” Whether it’s the beautiful environment, the strong sense of ‘ohana or the access to good healthcare, the factors that make Honolulu a great place to live might also make it one of the best places for people to live longer, happier lives.