There’s work-life balance, and then there’s the billionaire’s art of balancing privilege with empowering others to live well. Among the empathetic few are Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, who have recently donated $626,000 to support permanently affordable housing on Kaua’i. While this amount may not seem impressive compared to the headlines centibillionaires often make, it’s important to remember that no contribution is too big or small. Their donation will place five homes at Kauhale O Kīlauea into PAL’s Hoʻomaluhia Community Land Trust (HCLT), ensuring these homes remain permanently affordable for generations to come. If that isn’t a noble act worth celebrating more than the amount itself, what is?
Their generosity will allow local, multigenerational families to continue living, thriving, and contributing to the community. The Chan Zuckerberg Kaua’i Community Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation plays a crucial role in making such initiatives possible. Thanks to their efforts, Kaua’i’s workforce and local families have the opportunity to remain on the island for the long term. “We are deeply grateful for Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg’s support,” said PAL (Permanently Affordable Living Hawai’i) Executive Director Larry Graff. “The beauty of this gift is that it will have a generational impact. Their generosity will further our mission to create affordable, sustainable living for the people of Kaua’i by safeguarding these homes for future generations.”
PAL Hawai’i is a nonprofit affordable housing provider based on Kaua’i, supporting houseless individuals and low-to-middle-income workers. This mission aligns with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which believes everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. The organization tirelessly works to address housing affordability for people from diverse backgrounds and income levels.
The first richest man in the world, worth $195 billion, and his wife own 1,300 acres in this pristine locale, with Zuckerberg acquiring large portions of the island since September 2014. His purchases include a 357-acre parcel, a 384-acre plot, and an additional 750 acres in 2018. However, his acquisitions initially caused friction with locals, leading to a petition titled “Stop Mark Zuckerberg from Colonizing Kaua’i,” which garnered over a million signatures. In response, Zuckerberg has since worked with the community, becoming an indispensable part of it and standing by his promise to “work together with the community on a new approach.”
Kaua’i is now home to his sprawling 300-acre Koolau Ranch estate, set to become one of the largest private residences in U.S. history. This ambitious project will reportedly cost $270 million and include several mansions, a village, and a 5,000-square-foot underground bunker. Zuckerberg frequently visits Kaua’i from California, likely overseeing construction on his estate and advancing his charitable endeavors with more such donations on the way, or perhaps both. After all, centibillionaires excel at multitasking, seamlessly balancing palace-building with impactful philanthropy.
