Today, Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg is the largest landowner in the United States under 40.
However, what is the billionaire using the land for? It is said that this is not for building luxury homes, and informed sources indicate that the entrepreneur is creating a huge survival base in Hawaii,
with food farms, artificial intelligence security systems and even sniper towers.
The billionaire is accumulating land, building colossal structures and raising doubts about his true plans in the archipelago, writes clickpetroleoegas.com.
Zuckerberg is building mansions in Hawaii at a rapid pace and with extreme discretion. The project, which has already cost him more than $300 million, includes two main houses, several smaller buildings and even an underground bunker. Construction is centered on the island of Kauai, where the Meta CEO already owns approximately 2,300 acres of land.
According to Wired magazine, the level of secrecy is so high that workers on the site sign strict confidentiality agreements. Former employees have compared the environment to a “fight club“. The ultimate purpose of the project remains a mystery, although sources close to the billionaire claim that these are homes for friends, family and employees.
Zuckerberg's construction in Hawaii began in 2014 and is progressing gradually but steadily. By 2023, the Kolau Ranch has already reached investments of $270 million. The structure includes two giant mansions, a 460-square-meter underground shelter; and at least 30 rooms and bathrooms spread across 12 buildings.
One of the most bizarre features is an underground bunker, which Zuckerberg has called a "refuge" or "basement." The existence of the refuge and the resources it uses, such as autonomous power systems, have led experts to compare it to survival bunkers commissioned by other billionaires.
Mark Zuckerberg is building mansions in Hawaii in a sensitive area. Some of the land he has acquired covers ancient local cemeteries. Professor Julian Ako, a local resident, has secured the right to visit the graves of his great-grandparents, who are buried in the area enclosed by the complex. The community fears that the discovered remains will not be made public due to the workers' declarations of silence.
Zuckerberg is not alone. Other billionaires, such as Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, and Larry Ellison, have also bought land in Hawaii. In fact, Ellison owns almost the entire island of Lanai. The result has been a rapid increase in real estate prices and the displacement of locals who can't afford the costs.
The impact of this occupation has also had indirect effects. According to the company SAFE, which specializes in luxury bunkers, project applications have increased since the announcement of Zuckerberg's plans. Today, underground shelters with energy autonomy and survival features are super relevant in the market for millionaires.
Whether all this helps or hurts Hawaii is another question.