In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the idyllic shores of Hawaii, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has quietly snapped up nearly 1,000 more acres on the island of Kauai, ballooning his sprawling estate to over 2,300 acres and catapulting him into the ranks of the state’s largest landowners under 40. But this isn’t just another billionaire playground—whispers of underground tunnels, blast-resistant bunkers, and sniper towers have locals convinced Zuckerberg is prepping for the end of the world, all while trampling on sacred Native Hawaiian burial grounds and ancestral rights. As tensions boil over, one local fisherman reveals a chilling family secret buried beneath the tycoon’s fortress, leaving readers to wonder: Is paradise about to become a private apocalypse retreat?

The latest acquisition, valued at over $65 million according to property records obtained by Wired and the New York Post, marks Zuckerberg’s boldest land grab yet. Purchased through a shadowy Hawaiian-sounding LLC to shield his identity, the 962-acre ranch sits inland from his oceanfront compound near the town of Kilauea. This isn’t your average vacation home; satellite imagery and leaked planning documents paint a picture of a self-sustaining fortress straight out of a dystopian thriller. The estate, dubbed Ko’olau Ranch, already boasts two massive mansions with floor space rivaling a football field, a state-of-the-art gym, tennis courts, guest houses, and—most intriguingly—an underground shelter the size of an NBA basketball court, complete with explosion-proof doors, escape hatches, and independent water and power systems. Insiders whisper that the bunker could house up to 100 people in luxury during a catastrophe, fueling wild speculation about Zuckerberg’s doomsday preparations amid global uncertainties like climate change and geopolitical tensions.

But wait—there’s more. Fresh permits filed in early 2025 reveal plans for three enormous new buildings, each spanning 8,000 to 10,000 square feet and costing upwards of $30 million. Two of these structures resemble high-end dormitories, packing 16 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms apiece, with shared lanais and top-tier security features like motion detectors, cameras, and keypad locks. Zuckerberg’s spokesperson, Brandi Hoffine Barr, insists these are merely “short-term guest accommodations” for family, friends, and Meta employees. Yet, skeptics aren’t buying it. “This isn’t a family retreat; it’s a fortified compound,” one anonymous construction worker told reporters, bound by strict NDAs that prevent full disclosure. Rumors swirl of hidden tunnels connecting the buildings, sniper towers disguised as observation posts, and even AI-powered surveillance systems scanning the perimeter for intruders. With the total investment now exceeding $300 million—surpassing Kauai’s entire annual operating budget of $311 million—questions abound: What exactly is Zuckerberg hiding in paradise?

Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian odyssey began innocently enough in 2014, when he shelled out $100 million for 700 acres of prime oceanfront land. Back then, he painted himself as a benevolent newcomer, eager to “plant roots” in the community alongside his wife, Priscilla Chan. Over the years, expansions followed: 560 acres in 2021, including the infamous Kaloko Dam site where a 2006 collapse killed seven people, and now this latest haul. Officially, the couple emphasizes conservation and agriculture. “Mark and Priscilla are continuing to build a home for their family and expand ranching, farming, and wildlife preservation,” Barr stated. The ranch reportedly features organic ginger, macadamia nuts, turmeric fields, and premium cattle raised on beer and nuts—a quirky touch that Zuckerberg flaunted on social media. They’ve even scrapped the previous owner’s plans for 80 luxury homes, opting instead for native plant restoration and endangered species protection. Philanthropy flows too: millions donated to local nonprofits, including a charter school and affordable housing near the compound, creating high-paying jobs in a rural economy.

Yet, beneath this glossy facade lies a storm of controversy that’s ripping through Kauai’s tight-knit communities. Native Hawaiians and longtime residents accuse Zuckerberg of neocolonialism, echoing the painful history of land dispossession that began with the 1848 Great Mahele, when Western privatization stripped indigenous people of vast territories. Today, Zuckerberg’s empire encompasses “kuleana” lands—small ancestral plots granted to Native Hawaiian families in the 19th century, often holding deep cultural and genealogical significance. In 2016, the billionaire ignited outrage by filing “quiet title” lawsuits against hundreds of potential heirs to clarify ownership and force sales at auction. Though he withdrew the suits amid backlash, the damage was done. “It felt like a modern-day land grab, using money and lawyers to push us out,” one descendant fumed in a local forum.

The heart of the fury centers on sacred burial sites, or “iwi kupuna,” scattered across the property. Part of the compound sits atop a confirmed Native Hawaiian graveyard, with state officials warning of a “high probability” of more undiscovered remains nearby. Workers are supposedly trained to report findings, and the known plot is fenced off and maintained. But trust is in short supply. Julian Ako, a local fisherman and cultural practitioner whose great-grandmother and her brother are buried on the land, shared a harrowing tale: “I’ve fought for years to access my ancestors’ graves, but now it’s all restricted. If they uncover iwi—or bones—during construction, it’s going to be a challenge for that to ever become public knowledge, especially with those NDAs silencing everyone.” Ako’s words, echoed in a Wired investigation, highlight the fear that Zuckerberg’s secrecy could erase irreplaceable heritage forever. He spent months negotiating with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative just to register the sites, but free visits are a thing of the past. “The land doesn’t look like it did when I was a kid,” Ako lamented. “It’s changed, and not for the better.”

Protests have erupted sporadically, with residents chaining themselves to gates and chanting against “billionaire colonialism.” Puali’i Rossi, a professor of Native Hawaiian studies at Kauai Community College, warned, “Eventually, Hawaii isn’t going to look like Hawaii anymore—it’s going to be a resort community. If our island has any hope of remaining Hawai’i, this kind of activity has got to stop.” Rossi’s stark prediction underscores broader anxieties: As billionaires like Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Larry Ellison, and Jeff Bezos scoop up 218,000 acres statewide (11% of private land), housing prices skyrocket, displacing locals. Kauai’s median home price has surged beyond $1 million, making homeownership a dream for many Native Hawaiians already grappling with poverty and cultural erosion.

Zuckerberg’s defenders point to his contributions—jobs, donations, and land preservation—as outweighing the negatives. But for many, it’s a bitter pill. “He’s welcomed when he throws money around, but when it comes to our ancestors and our future, he’s just another outsider taking what’s ours,” Ako added in a recent interview. As construction hums on, guarded by stone walls and vigilant security, the island watches warily. Is Ko’olau Ranch a harmonious haven or a harbinger of Hawaii’s transformation into an elite enclave? With Zuckerberg’s net worth topping $170 billion, the power imbalance is glaring. One thing’s certain: This paradise is paradise lost for those caught in the crossfire.

As the sun sets on Kauai’s misty mountains, the question lingers—will Zuckerberg’s empire unite or divide? Locals demand transparency, but the billionaire remains tight-lipped. Stay tuned; the next chapter in this Hawaiian saga could erupt any day.