If you’re happy and you know it, you might live in Hilo.
If you’re happy and you know it, you might live in Hilo.
The town is one of 10 locales named to Coastal Living magazine’s annual list of America’s “happiest seaside towns.” The unranked list of happiest towns was released Tuesday and appears in the magazine’s February issue.
Online voting will determine which town is No. 1 for happiness.
“We’ve selected a Hawaiian finalist four of five years, but no Hawaiian town has been named the ultimate winner yet,” Coastal Living editor Steele Marcoux said in a statement to the Tribune-Herald.
Two Maui spots, Lahaina and Paia Town, were named finalists in previous contests. Haleiwa on Oahu was ranked eighth last year.
The 10 finalists are chosen by Coastal Living editors from an initial field of more than 300 nominees. Once a town appears as a finalist, it cannot be on future lists and is retired from the rankings.
From there, factors such as air quality, healthiness of beaches, percentage of sunny days, commute times, crime rates, walk-ability, standard of living and financial well-being of the local population are taken into account, according to Coastal Living.
The towns’ rankings on Gallup-Healthways annual well-being index also are considered. Earlier this year, Gallup ranked Hawaii the No. 2 state in the nation for well-being.
Besides the more quantitative measures, more subjective elements come into play, such as the magazine editors’ assessment of “coastal vibe.”
In Hilo’s case, that vibe was helped by natural and cultural resources.
Marcoux said that Hilo represented “that Hawaiian ideal: a charming town with museums, boutiques and a renowned hula festival surrounded by a dramatic tropical paradise.”
Ross Birch, executive director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau, said Tuesday that Hilo’s appearance on the list benefits tourists and residents.
“It helps us out, but it’s actually more resident-driven,” Birch said. The visitors bureau often works with magazines such as Coastal Living to bring writers to the island.
The magazine describes itself as a source of information for people who “live or dream of living a coastal lifestyle.”
Other towns on the 2015 list are Capitola, Calif.; Fairhope, Ala.; Hermosa Beach, Calif.; Portland, Maine; Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Seaside, Ore.; Stuart, Fla.; Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; and Sullivan’s Island, S.C.
Voting for the happiest seaside town in America takes place online at www.coastalliving.com/happytowns2016 and runs through Jan. 25.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.