How cool! I stumbled across a website that rates the walkability of a particular address: www.Walkscore.com

It uses an algorythm to assign points based on how close various types of amenities (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc.) are to the address. If the amenity is less than .25 miles from the address, it scores the maximum points, and the address gets less points if the desired location is further. No points are given for amenities further than one mile away.

Many homebuyers and renters are interested in finding and living in walkable neighborhoods, as boost to their own health and the health of the environment. According to Walkscore.com, studies have shown that people living in pedestrian-friendly neighborhood weigh less than those who don't. The cost and environmental savings of walking over using a car are readily apparent, but there are also social benefits of a pedestrian friendly hood --- when you are always in a car, you miss a lot of the day to day interaction with your neighbors that you may have if walking the same distance. Walking also can help strengthen local businesses who thrive on foot traffic.

The website rated the Top 10 US Neighborhoods for walking. Not too many suprises here:

1. San Francisco, CA
2. New York, NY
3. Boston, MA
4. Chicago, IL
5. Philadelphia, PA
6. Seattle, WA
7. Washington D.C.
8. Long Beach, CA
9. Los Angeles, CA
10. Portland, OR

How does Hawaii stack up? Well, I tried a few addresses in Neighborhoods that I know to be fairly walkable, to see how it worked:

Waikiki scored 86/100 "Very Walkable" using the address 2465 Kuhio Street, Honolulu, HI
Kaimuki scored  91/100 "Walker's Paradise" using the address 1043 6th Ave, Honolulu, HI
Kahala scored 48/52 "Car-Dependent" using the address 4742 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI
Kahala scored 75/100 "Very Walkable" using the address 1030 Pueo St, Honolulu, HI
Portlock/Hawaii Kai scored 66/100 "Somewhat Walkable" using the address 379 Portlock Rd, Honolulu, HI
Kuulei Tract/Kailua scored 66/100 "Somewhat Walkable" using the address 157 Kuumele St, Kailua, HI
Kuulei Tract/Kailua scored 83/100 "Very Walkable" using the address 96 S. Kainalu Dr, Kailua, HI
Keolu Hills/Kailua scored 58/100 "Somehat Walkable" using the address 1032 Kina St, Kailua, HI
Coconut Grove/Kailua scored 66/100 "Somewhat Walkable" using the address 422 Kihapai St, Kailua, HI

In Hawaii, I think it really depends more upon the exact address than the neighborhood, because using various addresses in the same neighborhood will yield different results. At any rate, it is a good resource for people moving to a new location or visiting somewhere they have not been before.

Happy Walking!