The sun rises over the lush valleys of Kauai, casting its golden light on a landscape that’s as rich in history as it is in natural beauty. But beneath the surface of this paradise, a new controversy is brewing—one that’s pitting local families against one of the world’s most powerful tech billionaires.

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta, has made headlines once again—not for a new digital innovation, but for his sprawling Hawaiian estate that’s now estimated at a staggering $300 million. And while the property boasts everything from luxury mansions and tennis courts to organic farms and underground tunnels, it’s what may lie beneath the land that has locals in an uproar.

A Billionaire’s Expansion—and a Community’s Outrage

According to public records, Zuckerberg has expanded his compound on the island of Kauai by nearly 1,000 acres in recent years. What began as a single estate has grown into a massive private complex, valued at around $75 million just for the main residence, and now includes multiple mansions, ranch buildings, guest houses, treehouses, a gym, and even a storm shelter accessed by an underground tunnel.

While some see this as a sign of investment in the local economy, many longtime residents are raising alarm bells about what’s being lost in the process. For them, the land isn’t just a commodity—it’s a living connection to their ancestors.

Claims of Buried Ancestors Spark Debate

The heart of the controversy centers on claims from local families that their relatives are buried somewhere beneath Zuckerberg’s property. For Native Hawaiians, ancestral graves—or iwi—are sacred, and their protection is a matter of deep cultural significance.

One local, Julian Ako, says he first reached out to Zuckerberg’s team nearly a decade ago to alert them that his great-grandmother and her brother were buried on the land. After months of negotiation, Ako was allowed access to the site to register the graves with Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources. However, he says he was unable to locate other ancestral remains he believes may be scattered across the property.

“It’s not just about my family,” Ako told reporters. “It’s about respecting the history of this land and the people who came before us.”

Zuckerberg’s Team Responds

In response to the growing concerns, Zuckerberg’s spokesperson Brandi Hoffine Barr told WIRED that the family is committed to respecting local customs and laws. “Mark and Priscilla continue to make a home for their family and grow their ranching, farming, and conservation efforts at Koʻolau Ranch,” she said.

She emphasized that the vast majority of the land is dedicated to agriculture—including cattle ranching, organic ginger, macadamia nut, and turmeric farming, as well as native plant restoration and endangered species protection. “After purchasing the ranch, they canceled the previous owner’s plans for 80 luxury homes,” Barr added.

As for the burial site, Hoffine Barr stated it was “fenced off and maintained” after its discovery in 2015. She also pointed out that workers on the property are bound by regulations requiring them to report any inadvertent discoveries of iwi.

Concerns Over Secrecy and Transparency

Despite these assurances, some locals remain uneasy, particularly about the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) for workers on the property. “If all of the workers have signed these nondisclosure agreements, then basically they’re sworn to silence,” Ako said. “If they uncover iwi—or bones—it’s going to be a challenge for that to ever become public knowledge, because they’re putting their jobs in jeopardy.”

This sentiment is echoed by Puali‘i Rossi, a professor of Native Hawaiian studies at Kauai Community College. “If our island has any hope of remaining Hawaii, this kind of activity has got to stop,” Rossi said. “Eventually Hawaii isn’t going to look like Hawaii anymore—it’s going to be a resort community. Are we really thinking about 100 years from now, what this island is going to look like?”

A Broader Conversation About Land, Wealth, and Heritage

The debate over Zuckerberg’s property is part of a larger conversation playing out across Hawaii and other parts of the world: Who gets to own land, and at what cost to the communities who have called it home for generations?

For many Native Hawaiians, the influx of wealthy outsiders buying up large swaths of land is seen as a threat to their culture, identity, and future. The issue isn’t just about money or real estate—it’s about the soul of the islands.

Zuckerberg’s team maintains that they are working to be good stewards of the land, investing in sustainable agriculture and conservation. But for families like the Akos, no amount of money or good intentions can replace a lost connection to their ancestors.

Moving Forward: Calls for Dialogue and Respect

As the story continues to unfold, both sides seem to agree on one thing: the need for open communication and mutual respect. Local leaders are calling for more transparency from private landowners and greater protections for ancestral sites. At the same time, they acknowledge that solutions won’t come overnight.

For his part, Zuckerberg has largely stayed out of the public debate, focusing instead on his family and ranching activities. But as his property continues to expand, so too does the scrutiny from the community.

Why This Story Matters

This isn’t just a story about a billionaire and a patch of paradise. It’s a lesson in the importance of honoring history, respecting local traditions, and finding common ground in an increasingly divided world.

As Hawaii grapples with questions of identity, land rights, and the legacy of colonization, the eyes of the world are watching. Will the islands remain a place where the past is remembered and cherished, or will they become just another playground for the ultra-wealthy?

Only time will tell. But for now, the voices of Kauai’s families are clear: the land remembers, even if the world forgets.