In a move that could easily be mistaken for a plot straight out of a Bond film, Facebook mogul Zuckerberg is erecting a colossal $397 million fortress on the idyllic Hawaiian island of Kauai, a mere 16km away from the residence of former 007 Pierce Brosnan. It juxtaposes Hollywood glamour and Silicon Valley ambition in the serene backdrop of Hanalei Bay.
While Brosnan leisurely pedals around the laidback surfer town, Zuckerberg’s ambitious project is shaping up to be one of the most extensive private construction endeavors in North American history. Critics argue that the Silicon Valley billionaire is not only transforming 566 hectares of pristine coastline into a high-tech haven but is also trampling over ancient Indigenous property rights, all in the name of creating an apocalypse-ready haven for himself, his wife Priscilla, and their family.
The chosen location, Kauai, known as the “Garden Isle” for its lush rainforests, is a cinematic paradise featured in classics like Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean. However, Zuckerberg’s arrival mirrors the tension depicted in George Clooney’s The Descendants, where a Hawaiian family grapples with selling their land for luxury development.
The sprawling compound, named Koolau Ranch, is not your typical family home. It comprises two mansions and an entire village of outhouses, including over 30 bedrooms and bathrooms. The main structures, boasting lifts, offices, conference rooms, and industrial-sized kitchens, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Underground, a tunnel connects the mansions, leading to a 464 sqm bunker, complete with living quarters, a mechanical room, and an escape hatch, reminiscent of a Bond villain lair. The security measures are unparalleled, featuring a network of surveillance cameras and interior doors operated by keypads, some cleverly disguised as walls.
Despite the opulence, the project has drawn criticism for its secrecy and its impact on the local community. A mile-long wall obscures picturesque coastal views, and the intense security measures have resulted in legal battles and even a tragic loss of life.
In a peculiar twist, the Zuckerbergs emphasize self-sufficiency, with the ranch boasting its water tank, a robust pump system, and agricultural and livestock initiatives. Yet, the project’s secrecy and the heavy-handed intrusion into the island’s traditional way of life have sparked discontent among locals.
This isn’t Zuckerberg’s first foray into Hawaiian real estate. Acquiring multimillion-dollar properties on Oahu in 2013, the couple turned their attention to Kauai in 2014, sparking controversy with a lawsuit against Hawaiians claiming interest in the land. Despite dropping the suit, accusations of covert actions linger.
As Zuckerberg and his wife attempt to charm the island with donations and community initiatives, their efforts are met with skepticism. The billionaire’s perceived “colonization” of the island, reminiscent of other tech magnates’ retreats, has triggered online petitions and legal battles.
In a bizarre twist, the Zuckerbergs join a growing list of billionaires investing in apocalypse bunkers. Zuckerberg’s 5,000-square-foot bunker highlights the tech elite’s fascination with subterranean survival, estimated to cost a staggering $270 million.
While some may applaud the job opportunities the ranch brings to the island, many remain uneasy about the intrusion of big-tech money. Kauai, once known for its simple and beautiful life, now faces the challenges posed by the obscenely rich kings of Silicon Valley, seeking refuge in a paradise within paradise.