Honolulu tops the list of American cities as the best place to keep New Year’s resolutions and Kristine Altwies couldn’t agree more.

Altwies, 46, of Waialae Nui Ridge, said she always makes New Year’s resolutions and this year has vowed to do better at home and at her job as executive director/CEO of Hawaii International Child.

Living in Honolulu, Altwies said, will definitely help her stick to her resolutions this year to do more social networking for Hawaii International Child while staying off the computer to spend more time with her four children, husband and parents.

"I totally get it," Altwies said. "I think Honolulu is an inspired place and I think sunshine and happiness and beauty make a difference in the quality of one’s life and you are more destined to be a better human being when you live in a place that is so graced."

The editors of Livability.com studied more than 500 American cities and Ho­no­lulu came out on top as the best place to keep New Year’s resolutions after considering such factors as residents’ health, population growth, financial strength, recreational activities, cultural amenities and general happiness.

Honolulu was chosen for its "healthy and peaceful lifestyle," according to Livability­.com, which describes itself as "a resource of more than 500 of America’s best places to live, work, play, explore and belong."

"Known for being one of the slimmest cities in the United States, women are less likely to suffer from sickness, depression, migraines, insomnia and allergies," the website says. "With a seemingly endless amount of activities both on and off the main island, the temptation to sit on the couch is small. Honolulu is home to beautiful beaches and an array of art galleries, spas, museums and boutiques. The availability of fresh seafood and tropical fruit and organic vegetables also makes the city one of the best places to eat healthy."

Melissa Kim, 26, of Kailua, an owner and partner in BASH Events LLC, an event planning company, had success with last year’s resolution to feed homeless families at the Next Step shelter in Kakaako.

Kim believes that living in Honolulu can help anyone meet their New Year’s goals.

"The physical beauty of Oahu itself is incredibly inspiring and lends itself to providing a great backdrop for anyone on a journey to self-improvement," Kim wrote in an email to the Star-Advertiser. "There are also abundant resources in Honolulu and on Oahu in general for anyone looking to make a change: gyms and personal trainers for those seeking to improve their physical bodies, nonprofit organizations that can always benefit from committed volunteers, and an abundance of experts, businesses, sunshine and great friends that can help individuals meet their goals."