For its 40th meeting, the Urban Affairs Association is traveling to Honolulu, Hawaii, one of the major gateways to Asia and the Pacific. Our local host is the University of Hawaii-Manoa. The conference theme- sustaining cities in a time of globalization- is particularly relevant to the city of Honolulu (a word that means the place of shelter, of protection). As an international hub of global commerce, tourism, and immigration, Honolulu faces significant social, economic and environmental challenges. The city is constantly seeking a balance between livability, sustainability and social wellbeing. This location prompts us to consider how and why cities can be made more desirable places to live, and what role they play in sustaining social, political and economic relations. We hope that the theme and the location will be of particular interest to international colleagues and those interested in cross-national comparisons.