Zuckerberg's Kauai Land Expansion Sparks Controversy

Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire behind Meta, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are making waves in Kauai, Hawaii, after buying 962 acres of ranch land for over $65 million. This latest purchase bumps their total Kauai holdings to more than 2,300 acres, but it’s not sitting well with many locals who are worried about losing access to land, preserving their culture, and the growing presence of wealthy outsiders.

Zuckerberg’s Kauai story started back in 2014 when he shelled out $100 million for 700 acres. Since then, he’s added more land, including 600 acres in 2021 for $53 million and another 110 acres for $17 million.

His massive Ko‘olau Ranch estate, now worth about $75 million, includes two mansions, guest houses, treehouses, and even an underground bunker, which has locals wondering what he’s planning. Some, like Native Hawaiian Julian Ako, are concerned the expansion could disturb sacred burial sites, especially since workers are reportedly bound by strict nondisclosure agreements that might hide findings of cultural significance.

• Mark Zuckerberg’s Land Buy in Kauai Sparks Backlash Over Access, Culture, and Wealth Divide
• Locals Protest Zuckerberg’s $65M Kauai Expansion Amid Fears of Displacement and Neocolonialism
• Zuckerberg’s 2,300-Acre Kauai Estate Raises Concerns About Sacred Sites and Community Impact

The purchases have sparked accusations of “neocolonialism,” reminding people of Hawaii’s painful history of land disputes. In 2016, Zuckerberg tried to secure small parcels of Native Hawaiian land within his estate through lawsuits, which caused a major uproar. He eventually backed off, but the damage was done, and many still don’t trust him. A petition called “Stop Mark Zuckerberg from colonizing Kauai” gained traction, showing how frustrated locals feel.

On the flip side, Mark Zuckerberg and Chan have donated over $20 million to Kauai charities since 2018, funding education and housing projects. They say they’re focused on conservation, with much of their land used for cattle ranching, organic farming, and protecting endangered species. But locals like Laurel Brier point out that when billionaires buy up land, it drives up property prices, making it tougher for regular Hawaiians to afford to stay.

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Zuckerberg’s growing estate highlights the clash between wealth, cultural heritage, and land rights, leaving many in Kauai wondering what it means for their community’s future.