Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, and Priscilla Chau have acquired 110 acres of a former sugarplantation on Kauai.
This agricultural land contains most of the Ka Loko Reservoir’s earthen Ka Loko Reservoir. In 2006, hundreds of gallons were released by its walls, which collapsed. Seven people, including one pregnant woman, died.
This land is part of the newly acquired 1,300-acre, $100 million luxury estate that the couple already owns. Critics have criticized them for trying to colonize the island.
According to the Star-Advertiser, most of Zuckerberg’s estate is on the protected agricultural and conservation land that surrounds the Hawaiian house, Ko’olau Ranch.
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, and Priscilla Chau have purchased 110 acres from a sugar plantation located on Kauai in Hawaii.
Both the couple already own land on Kauai, above Pilaa Beach.
Zuckerberg owns the 1,400-acre estate on the Hawaiian island
This agricultural land is dominated by the Ka Loko Reservoir’s earthen Ka Loko Reservoir. It released hundreds of gallons water after its wall fell, killing seven and injuring a pregnant lady. Photo: 2006 flood damage
Zuckerberg spent $116 million in 2014 on 707 acres of land, which included most of Pila’a beach and Kahu’aina Plantation, as well as nearly 600 acres in April this year for $53 million.
‘Mark’s and Priscilla still make their home at Ko’olau Ranch,” Ben LaBolt said in a statement to the newspaper.
LaBolt stated that the couple plans to expand their farming, ranching, conservation, and wildlife protection work on the 1,400-acre estate.
The following is a report from a local Hawaiian newspaper Garden IslandZuckerberg owns a 6,100 square foot house in his estate, which includes a 16 car garage, offices, and security headquarters.
Ka Loko, the reservoir that was destroyed by the flooding in 2006, is now part of the new estate. It’s also on the island’s top-high-risk dams.
Zuckerberg’s Kaloko LLC bought the 110 acres of land for $17 million in November from a company owned by the kamaaina Pflueger family, according to property records.
James Pflueger was convicted of the dam burst in 2006. It happened after 40 days rain. At the age 91, he later passed away in 2017.
Close-up aerial photograph of Ka Loko Dam’s breach, May 2, 2006, several weeks following the wall collapse
In a settlement agreement, $25 million was paid to the victims’ families and their landowners.
The reservoir, built in 1890 and used by sugar plantation operator C. Brewer &Co, is now restricted to a monitored low-water level to reduce the risk to downstream residents, including the Zuckerberg’s property, reports the newspaper.
Zuckerberg, Chan and others have been charged with trying to colonize Kauai. After Chan and Zuckerberg built a wall to block access to Pila’a Beach, their first Hawaiian real-estate purchase of 2014, they were initially scrutinized.
Others also accused Zuckerberg of trying to force tenants farmers off their historic plots. He later apologized to the newspaper in 2017, explaining that he had abandoned his quiet title actions in order to ‘work with the community on an alternative approach.
Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has pledged to protect the beautiful island landscape.
Last year, a petition was created to “stop Mark Zuckerberg’s colonization of Kauai”. It has now received more than one million signatures.
The couple earlier this year bought a 600 acre plot, which includes the spectacular Larsen’s Beach, for $53 million A nonprofit organisation founded by a local family whose roots date back to the time of the Hawaiian kingdom.
Abner Wilcox and Lucy Wilcox were missionary couples who arrived in Connecticut from 1837, when Hawaii was still a monarchy.
The monarchy would still be in place until January 1895 and then the U.S. annexed it.
Wilcoxes managed a school which was passed on through generations.
The Waioli Corporation took control of management in 1975 and trustees transferred a part of their land to the ZuckerbergChan families.
Waioli operates federal and state historic places across the island, including Waioli Mission House Museum and the Mahamoku Beach Residence in Hanalei, and Grove Farm Museum in Lihu‘e, as well as plantation-era steam locomotives in its collection.
In a statement, the couple stated that they intend to continue with the Waioli Corporation’s conservation work on Lepeuli. This land is home to beautiful reefs and forests that provide habitat for local birds and plants.