11 Celebrities Who've Bought Absurd Amounts Of Land In Hawai'i (While Native Hawaiians Are Being Forced Out Of Their Home)
Though Native Hawaiians have called the islands home for thousands of years, they are being pushed out of their ancestral lands and make up a disproportionate number (51%) of the houseless population.
Hawai'i is facing a severe housing crisis. According to a recent study, it's become the least affordable state in the US, with folks spending 62% of their income to cover their mortgage bills alone. Though Native Hawaiians have called the islands home for thousands of years, they are being pushed out of their ancestral lands and make up a disproportionate number (51%) of the houseless population.
Since statehood, tourism has exponentially increased — despite Native Hawaiians asking people to stay away for years — and resulted in overcrowding, damage to the environment, and a higher cost of living. Additionally, a 2018 Hawai'i Tourism Authority study found that nearly 70% of vacation rentals were owned by people who live outside of Hawai'i. Maui had the highest overall rate of out-of-state property owners (nearly 30%). Wealthy people continue to swoop in and snatch up homes on obscene amounts of land — leaving less and less available for Native Hawaiians.
So, here are 11 celebrities who own homes in Hawai'i:
1.Oprah
The media mogul has been a part-time resident of Maui for years with over 100 acres of land in Kula (her home base is in Montecito, California). In March, she purchased 870 more acres in the central part of Maui for nearly $6.6 million.
Two years ago, the actor — who lives in Austin, TX — purchased a $7.8 million house on the big island of Hawaii. The six-bedroom home has two pools, two outdoor fire pits, indoor and outdoor kitchens, a wine cellar, and beach views.
3.Jeff Bezos
In 2021, he reportedly purchased 14 acres in Maui for $78 million. The estate is said to include a 4,500-square-foot main house, a 1,700-square-foot guesthouse, a 700-square-foot pool, a private beach, lots of greenery, and even a section of Hawaiian lava fields. Jeff also owns homes in New York, Beverly Hills, Seattle, Texas, and Washington D.C.
In 2021, the couple decided to purchase a house and make Hawai'i their home. Vanessa told Travel + Leisure, "This is the most beautiful place I've ever been emotionally. There's a magic. When you live here and are surrounded by the loving people…you can't help but feel it and get moved by it."
After visiting Woody in Maui, Owen apparently loved the North Shore so much that he bought his own house there (while already owning homes in California). Since then, the actor has reportedly purchased additional houses in Hawai'i.
7.Willie Nelson
In addition to his Texas home, the singer bought a house on Maui in the late '70s. His sons were raised there and attended local schools. Willie is known for his poker nights with Woody and Owen.
8.Carlos Santana
In 2021, the singer — who lives in Las Vegas — paid $20.5 million to upgrade to a larger vacation home on Kaua'i. The 8,000-square-foot house is split into four pods connected by a central outdoor living space. The 35,284-square-foot property features an outdoor lounge, kitchen, barbecue area, lanai, and an infinity saltwater swimming pool and spa overlooking Hanalei Bay.
9.Pierce Brosnan
The actor — who splits his time between Kaua'i and Malibu — purchased a house that sits on five acres in 2002. He told Closer Weekly that having a house in Hawai'i is a "gift." He continued, "For [my wife] Keely and I to come here years ago and have some small dream of a getaway for our children, for ourselves and our future, this is truly [a] magical space."
10.Clint Eastwood
In addition to his California homes, the actor reportedly owns an oceanfront house in South Maui. He directed the film Hereafter, which was partially shot in Lahaina, about 30 miles from his house.
11.And finally, Mark Zuckerberg
In 2014, he purchased 750 acres in Kaua'i for $100 million before adding another 600 acres for $53 million in March 2021. In December 2021, he purchased 110 more acres for $17 million. This is all in addition to the many homes he owns across California.
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