It’s easy to criticize billionaires for enjoying their wealth, and Mark Zuckerberg, the world’s fourth-richest man, worth $198 billion, is no stranger to such scrutiny. When Zuckerberg acquired an extraordinary 1,300 acres of beachfront land on Kaua‘i’, Hawaii, reactions were swift and largely negative, with some accusing him of “colonizing” the island. However, the Meta CEO pledged to collaborate with the local community, promising “a new approach.” True to his word, thanks to the Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Kaua‘i’s north shore will soon welcome its first public charter school.
The Namahana School, named after the Namahana Mountain, will span 11 acres in Kilauea and is set to open by the end of next year. This milestone is made possible by a generous $1.5 million gift from Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan.
The new school aims to ease the burden on students who currently endure commutes of up to three hours daily, often in harsh weather, through rush-hour traffic, and over roads prone to closures, to attend schools in Kapa‘a or beyond. A local resident described how children wait in the dark for one school bus to take them to another, highlighting the severe challenges faced by families in the area.
The $1.5 million donation (a cash gift of $750,000 alongside a set of state-of-the-art mobile facilities valued at $800,000) is transformative for a region where schools have operated out of tents, churches, and other makeshift facilities for years. Namahana School has already raised $6 million in pre-opening funds, including $5.3 million toward a $10 million capital campaign to construct the middle school. “We are impressed with the remarkable level of community support Namahana School has garnered over the years,” said Chan. “We are proud to contribute to this effort to give Kaua‘i’s North Shore the tuition-free, public middle and high school its children and families deserve.”
Melanie Parker, Executive Director of the Namahana Education Foundation, echoed this sentiment: “While we can’t move this project forward without the full support of our local community, we also believe Namahana’s aspirations are global in reach. Because of Priscilla’s experience in education, she understands the complexity and responsibility of such an undertaking, and we are deeply grateful to her and Mark for believing in Namahana’s potential.”
Deeply connected to its unique social, historical, and geographic roots, Namahana School, that is a mile away from Mark Zuckerberg’s own lavish estate, will open its doors at a temporary facility next fall. There is no information on whether Zuckerberg and Chan will be sending their three young daughters to this school that specializes in project-based and aina-based learning (an educational approach rooted in the culture, and practices of Native Hawaiian traditions).
Student enrollment begins in January, starting with 120 middle school students. Over the next five years, the school will add one grade per year, bringing a decade-long dream to life. In addition to the $1.5 million gift, the Facebook founder also donated $626,000 to support affordable housing in Kaua’i.
Mark Zuckerberg’s colossal Kaua‘i estate: a $270 million fortress of luxury and eccentricity-
Zuckerberg, the MMA enthusiast and Silicon Valley giant, is crafting one of the most ambitious private residences in U.S. history on his sprawling 1,300-acre property in Kaua‘i, aptly named Koolau Ranch. The tech billionaire is channeling an astounding $270 million into his Hawaiian sanctuary, featuring multiple mansions, an entire village, and a 5,000-square-foot underground bunker.
Spread across a jaw-dropping 57,000 square feet, the estate boasts 30 bedrooms, swimming pools, saunas, conference rooms, and a grand library. A secret underground tunnel will lead directly to a soundproof bunker, designed for ultimate safety and comfort, complete with a living area, library, and escape hatch, all constructed from reinforced metal and concrete.
The extravagance doesn’t stop there. The property will be encircled by 11 treehouses interconnected by a series of rope bridges, offering an adventurous twist to this ultra-luxurious retreat. For those familiar with Zuckerberg’s surfing, boxing, and marathon-running routines, this design feels less eccentric and more like an authentic extension of his personality. It’s a true reflection of a tech titan blending opulence with a dash of rugged individuality.
