Money can buy some truly remarkable things, take superyachts, for instance. They are one of the most extravagant byproducts of billionaire status (in most cases). But there are certain treasures money cannot acquire. No, we won’t say love in this 21st-century world, but nature, pristine and unspoiled. While money can repair damages, often, it ends up being the root cause of destruction, as seen with these floating palaces, which leave a massive carbon footprint. Perhaps it was with this concern that local Hawaiian protesters vehemently opposed the mooring of the $250 million superyacht Liva O off the island of Molokai earlier this month. So much so, that a group of Molokai residents banded together and blocked the group’s access to shore.
The 387-foot yacht, owned by German-American billionaire Stephen Orenstein, a commercial real estate magnate, was indulging in the pristine Hawaiian islands when it hit this unexpected roadblock. Sailing from Maui, the luxury vessel had moored off Coconut Island before arriving at Hawaiʻi’s fifth largest island, where its intentions were met with skepticism. Residents were primarily concerned about the purpose of the visit and its potential impact on their untouched Molokai environment.
“We told them that we’re very concerned about who’s coming to Molokai, especially when they come on a $250 million boat,” Walter Ritte, a longtime Native Hawaiian activist and Molokai resident, told SFGATE. It was only after the captain and crew communicated over walkie-talkie, explaining that the affluent tourists were simply making a one-time excursion across Hawaii, that some tension eased. Ritte emphasized the locals’ aversion to over-tourism and the pollution it brings to their cherished island. He also highlighted the environmental damage large ships, particularly cruise ships, cause, with their anchors capable of devastating coral reefs.
Ritte, a member of the “Kahoolawe Nine,” who protested the military bombing of Kahoolawe in 1976, perhaps assumed the massive yacht would bring a large number of tourists. Only after the captain assured him that they were not there to start any business did the passengers proceed with their day-long excursion, leaving the island later that day.
The 61-year-old German-American businessman Orenstein, worth $2 billion, may have faced a minor hiccup before continuing his planned day, but there is no denying his 387-footer possibly poses an environmental risk. Superyachts like Liva O deploy heavy anchors and long chains that drag along the ocean floor, often crushing coral reefs that have taken centuries to form. They also release wastewater, fuel residues, and chemicals into the water, polluting marine ecosystems. Chronic stress from overcrowding and repetitive anchor damage compounds these issues, sometimes causing irreversible harm.
The mesmerizing Molokai Island-
While Orenstein and his entourage may have their reservations, Molokai, the fifth largest island in Hawaii, is often called “The Friendly Isle.” A single glance at its unspoiled landscapes, from the world’s highest sea cliffs on the northern shore to the longest continuous fringing reef in the United States, makes it clear why its roughly 7,345 residents, many of Native Hawaiian ancestry, fiercely protect their peaceful sanctuary from commercialization and pollution.
Molokai’s economy has long been rooted in cattle ranching, pineapple, and sugarcane cultivation. Unlike its more tourist-heavy neighbors, the island continues to resist large-scale tourism and development to preserve its natural beauty and cultural heritage, a commitment that left an impression on billionaire Orenstein and his group during their visit.
Meet Stephen Orenstein, the owner of the Liva O yacht.
Dubai-based Orenstein inherited his wealth, but his success was self-made. At 61, the billionaire leads Supreme Group, a company that supplied the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. A medical college dropout, his life took a turn when his father’s sudden death pulled him into the family business in 1985, starting in sales and eventually shaping its future. Beyond business, Orenstein is a patron of the Frankfurt Museum of Modern Art and a sports enthusiast, with a passion for football, tennis, and diving. He served on the supervisory board of Eintracht Frankfurt football club from 2018 until 2024. His wealth spans continents, with properties in London purchased for £71 million and $93 million in 2020, along with real estate developments in Frankfurt, Europe, and the U.S. Orenstein’s journey reflects ambition, resilience, and a commitment to his legacy.
The lovely Liva O Yacht-
The Liva O is a masterpiece by Abeking & Rasmussen, featuring an underwater Neptune lounge, a seven-person Triton submarine, and a 12-by-4-meter pool. This 5,000 GT superyacht also boasts two tender garages and holds the distinction of being the largest vessel ever constructed by the shipyard.
Designed to accommodate up to 12 guests in six luxurious suites, the yacht is serviced by a dedicated crew of up to 33 members. While its impressive fleet of tenders sets it apart, the Liva O also offers an array of opulent amenities, including a helipad, beauty salon, beach club, gym, and a deck jacuzzi.
The world’s third-richest man, Mark Zuckerberg, encountered resistance in Hawaii.
Hawaiians taking a stand to protect their islands’ sanctity is not a new phenomenon. A similar outcry was seen a few years ago when a petition was signed urging Mark Zuckerberg to stop “colonizing” the Hawaiian island of Kauai. That Change.org campaign launched in June 2020 garnered over 444,000 signatures. Since then, the tech mogul, worth $227 billion, has acquired a staggering 1,300 acres of beachfront land in Hawaii, more than double the size of Central Park. However, Zuckerberg has attempted to give back by donating $626,000 to support affordable housing in Kauai and contributing $1.5 million toward the island’s first public school, which will be built a mile from his $270 million Hawaiian retreat.
