Slashdot Mirror
Mark Zuckerberg Drops Lawsuits To Force Hundreds of Hawaiians To Sell Him Land (theguardian.com)
Last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg filed a lawsuit to force owners of several small parcels of land to sell to the highest bidder since these property owners are surrounded by Zuckerberg's land holdings and therefore have lawful easement to cross his private property. Ever since the story broke, Zuckerberg has faced major backlash from people all over the world, especially those living on the Hawaiian islands. On Wednesday, said he was "reconsidering" the set of lawsuits; today he announced that he will drop the lawsuits altogether. The Guardian reports: "Upon reflection, I regret that I did not take the time to fully understand the quiet title process and its history before we moved ahead," Zuckerberg wrote. "Now that I understand the issues better, it's clear we made a mistake." The process is controversial in Hawaii, where many view it as a tool of dispossession first employed by sugar barons, but later adopted by the wealthy malihini (newcomers) seeking vacation homes. Hawaii state representative Kaniela Ing, who emerged as one of the key critics of the lawsuits, said that he was "happy" and "humbled" by Zuckerberg's announcement. "It's not everyday where you face off with one of the most influential billionaires, best PR professionals and best attorneys in the world and win," he said. "It's a victory for everyone who shared the story on social media, for native Hawaiians, and for people everywhere. The parcels at stake in the Zuckerberg case were kuleana -- land granted to native Hawaiians in the 1850s after land was privatized for the first time in Hawaii -- contained within the boundaries of his 700-acre, $100m estate. Kuleana lands are especially important, law professor Kapua Sproat explained to the Guardian, because native Hawaiians view land as an "ancestor" or family member, rather than as a possession. "We understand that for native Hawaiians, kuleana are sacred and the quiet title process can be difficult," he wrote. "We want to make this right, talk with the community, and find a better approach." The CEO promised to hold discussion with "community leaders" representing native Hawaiians and environmentalists, and added that he is "looking for more ways to support the community as neighbors."
"Upon reflection, I was being a douche and an assclown. Sorry...my bad."
he got a taste of his own sense of "justice".
Now that I understand the issues better, it's clear we made a mistake.
This just sounds like someone trying to spread the blame.
Why couldn't he just say "I made a mistake" ?
My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
I parsed
"Mark Zuckerberg Drops Lawsuits To Force Hundreds of Hawaiians To Sell Him Land"
as
"Mark Zuckerberg Drops Lawsuits (To Force Hundreds of Hawaiians To Sell Him Land)"
instead of
"Mark Zuckerberg Drops (Lawsuits To Force Hundreds of Hawaiians To Sell Him Land)"
Can the title really be undestood both ways?
Careful there, sister.
Wouldn't you just hire a property lawyer and figure this out before you purchase the land?
love is just extroverted narcissism
This is just another example of the greed and avarice of the wealthy. Zuckerberg is no different than any other billionaire. Just another rich asshole.
Because every square inch of land has to have "ownership", and can't just belong nebulously to a community that shares historical and familial bonds? Not everything is for sale, just because you have money. The thing everyone agrees on is this-
* He doesn't own the land.
* He wants to buy the land.
* Many of the current owners do not want to have to fight in court to prove it is their land.
* Many of the current owners do not want to sell their heritage for some minor payday
I only heard of this recently...
What I heard is many Hawaiians were claiming this as their own rightful land since it was deeded to their ancestors who never sold it and let's face it - the US screwed Hawaii "bigly" to take them over and make them a state.
I saw a news report about it a couple of weeks ago and I have no concept of 700 acres. I grew up on a lot that was about a half-acre, so 1400 times the size of my suburban childhood home's front and back yards?
700 acres is 283 hectares. Nope, that muddles it even more for me.
My thought was that Zuckerberg should give them a break, but one claimant said they were offered a measly $500 in exchange to giving up being able to at least traverse part of the property like they said they had done for their entire lives.
I may have seen a biased news story and I'm admittedly biased against Zuckerberg, but I thought he was being an ass for not giving in at least a little - at least for public relations sake.
And then Zuckerberg sued them? Is he high? No wait, I'm high. If Zuckerberg were smoking the Maui Wowie (or Kauai Kind) he'd be a bit more generous, but he's obviously drunk on his own power and riches.
OTOH, 700 acres is a little over a square mile (~2.8 sq. km) and I can grasp how big (or small) that is.
Maybe Zuck anticipated a fight no matter where he bought property and that property is worth fighting for.
And then some of the people suing Zuckerberg didn't even realize they "owned" the property until it became an issue.
Who knows?
I am high, but if I were him, I would buy a small plot of land in the middle of it and instead of building a wall I would manipulate the lava flows so they cut off access to anyone who didn't have a helicopter to get there.
Now some Hawaiians, who may not even know they own small pieces of land can celebrate this instead of cashing in? Seems pretty stupid to me.
Spoken by a brainwashed worshiper of the house of the mighty dollar... Somethings are worth more than money, maybe you'll see the light some day...
I recently visited Hawaii for the first time a few months ago for business purposes. I ended up staying on the main island (Oahu) in Waikiki for a week which from my observation was the main tourist area ?
Once you get out of the cities and on the interstate(?) the island is very beautiful. I really enjoyed all the scenery, the fauna and terrain were a spectacle to gaze upon and were unlike anything my eyes have seen before. Really enjoyed the various tunnels and elevated highways that run along the mountainside.
However, just from my observations I was a bit saddened how the land of the native Hawaiians has been seemingly exploited by Japanese and American business interests at the accommodation of tourist goers. I assume this is because Oahu is where you land when travelling commercially
So many expensive buildings have been constructed, yet for a lot of those who construct these buildings they will never be able to afford being able to enjoy them with their families. I think this is probably due to most of the unskilled/slightly skilled laborers being filled by Native Hawaiians. Which only makes sense considering the local population. To me, it just didn't seem right that their ancestral home has been moved in upon because of conglomerate interests.
Regardless of that though, It is defiantly an interesting place to visit. Just have to get out of the cities to really feel what is left of the magic that still exists. I really wish I had time to visit the other islands. If I ever go back, it will be to go camping and hiking. Hopefully with the approval of the Hawaiian Gods.
to admit he made a mistake.
Good for ya, Zuckenberg.
Because every square inch of land has to have "ownership", and can't just belong nebulously to a community that shares historical and familial bonds?
In theory? Sure. In practice? No. That never works.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"