Mark Zuckerberg has significantly expanded his controversial estate on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, purchasing 962 acres of ranchland under an LLC earlier this year. The $65 million acquisition brings his total holdings to over 2,300 acres, stoking criticism from locals over land access, burial sites, and billionaire influence.
Massive Land Acquisition
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg quietly bought 962 acres of ranchland on Kauai through a Hawaiian-named LLC. A source close to the sale told WIRED the purchase exceeded $65 million, bringing his total landholdings to more than 2,300 acres. The newly acquired parcel, previously owned by the Mary Lucas Trust Estate, was once used for sugar plantations and cattle grazing. The land’s market value is estimated at around $75 million.
Expanding High-Security Compound
Zuckerberg’s estate, known as Koʻolau Ranch, already includes two massive mansions with a combined size roughly equal to a football field, a gym, tennis court, several guest houses, treehouses, and an underground storm shelter with blast-resistant doors. Recent planning documents reveal blueprints for three more buildings, up to 11,152 square feet in size. Two of them will offer 16 bedrooms and bathrooms in a motel-style layout with security cameras, keypad locks, and motion sensors. “These are short-term guest accommodations for family, friends, and staff,” said spokesperson Brandi Hoffine Barr.
Burial Site Controversy
The expansion has drawn criticism due to ancestral burial sites located on the land. A local man, Julian Ako, informed Zuckerberg’s team a decade ago that his great-grandmother and great-uncle were buried on the property. After months of negotiations, he gained access and registered the graves with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources.
WIRED reports that other remains may exist, based on oral testimonies. “The probability (based on oral testimony) of additional burial sites” was confirmed by Hawaiian officials. Although one site was fenced off and preserved, residents fear future discoveries may be hidden due to NDAs signed by workers. “If they uncover iwi, or bones, it’s going to be a challenge for that to ever become public knowledge,” Ako said.
Development vs. Preservation
Despite criticism, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, say their goals are conservation-focused. “The vast majority of the land is dedicated to agriculture, native plant restoration, and endangered species protection,” Hoffine Barr stated. They also canceled earlier plans for 80 luxury homes.
Zuckerberg has donated millions to local initiatives, including a charter school and housing organization. The compound supports ranching and farming, including organic ginger and macadamia nut production.
Tension Over Island’s Future
While Zuckerberg’s projects create local jobs and fund community efforts, many residents remain uneasy. The scale of private development and its potential to reshape Kauai’s identity worries cultural leaders.
“If our island has any hope of remaining Hawaii, this kind of activity has got to stop,” said Puali‘i Rossi, professor of Native Hawaiian studies. “Eventually, Hawaii isn’t going to look like Hawaii anymore, it’s going to be a resort community.”