We now know who bought the Bowman's Lepe`uli property that include the ancient Alaloa and beach access trials-
Mark Zuckerberg who owns Facebook, according
to Pacific Business News.
According to testimony before the Kaua`i County Council the
then-unknown buyer intended to withdraw the previously approved
subdivision of the property where 80 "gentlemen farms" were
planned. Testimony indicated that it could have been many more lots
if it had been "CPRed." But just as important as scratching
the subdivision it self, the development would have forced the county
to take a difficult rocky beach access rather than the gently
sloping existing ancient trail down to "Larson's"
(Lepe`uli) beach.
And, it was said by the attorneys, the new owner said he would not
develop it.
Previously after a "full court press" by the
administration and the county attorney's office, the council was
poised to approve that access for months but rather deferred action
over and over due to objections from the public, especially from
Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiians).
Councilmembers Tim Bynum and Gary Hooser were instrumental in
delaying the action until the property was eventually sold, despite
having been told there was nothing they could do to stop it by Deputy
County Attorney Maunakea Trask.
If true, Zuckerberg has apparently given a true gift to the people
of Kaua`i however for now the future of the Alaloa has yet to be
determined.
UPDATE: Here's an article
from Forbes on Mark Zuckerberg's Pila`a and Waipake purchase. It
seems to have different information that the Pacific Business News
article.
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