To accommodate the rich and famous, Ellison took matters into his own hands. But you can still experience Lanai on the cheap.
To accommodate the rich and famous, Ellison took matters into his own hands. But you can still experience Lanai on the cheap.
It’s Ellison’s Island, His Money paying for the upgraded runway and all for his friends convenience. Being an “A” Lister surely helps to be invited to Ellison’s Island and His inner sanctum, I wonder if He suffers Fools and the Boring well. Possibly they don’t get another invite. With the environmentally conscious involved allowing the extra fuel and passenger weight needed only makes sense. The benefits of the Wealthy and an exclusive playground we, the ordinary, aren’t welcome to play on.
I hope they have Tower control now. Last time I visited Lanai in 2000’s, Lanai had no tower control and I would not fancy that with more jet traffic with pilots unfamiliar with Lanai Airport. (Waeather was lousy and on return to Kauai I had to get ferry to Maui and cab it to OGG (with other pax)
It’s not busy enough to justify a tower. Lack of familiarity with an airport does not justify one, either. And I’ll bet that the pilots flying into that airport aren’t bothered by a lack of a tower.
With the construction extending the runway and an increase in private jet flights of various sizes and configurations having a tower in place will be a wise decision. The first question that comes to mind is how often would the tower be manned? Would there be qualified, experienced, people employed? Will Ellison seek to increase the size of the small airport in the near future? Much does need to be considered, however, Ellison is paying for it and is the man in charge.
I will try and be nice. Imagine pampered private pilots, flying expensive state of the art private jet aircrafts containing Wealthy, Pampered Famous Owners. That alone should answer any and all questions surrounding the tower. If Not, consider that without a “Tower” to help guide their landing all of that Pampering might need to make a 2nd attempt, maybe even a 3rd! How would that look to the rest of those Pampered Wealthy People? Embarrassing! If Larry’s paying for it who is anyone to object? Safety Saves Lives and Matters.
I personally think he is going well for the island.if Maui County or Hawaii government disagrees, why did the government overlook buying the island back.?
Why did the roalty FU at the time with Mr. Dole…shame on Hawaii government.
Hindsight is Always 20/20. Hawaii is a State. Private Land can be bought and sold typically without regulatory approval or public consent. When the ultra rich, famous and/or politically connected purchase large amounts of land to reside upon often there may be concessions made for safety and security concerns. Financial Responsibility and Liability Protection is also an Essential Aspect in the Concession Process. The problem begins after the Sale when unrestricted access to the property is denied and people complain about the entire situation and deal, but rarely does anyone take exception to the money that will benefit the community, just how it may eventually be used. Public Officials will take the brunt of the objections, unduly.
Unfortunately, I think this is Hawaii’s future. During Covid, a lot of the local island commenters on this site were desirous of a more “elite” tourist to visit the islands. The working class types are getting priced out of Hawaii. Our upcoming Maui accommodations which were $185 a night in 2019 are now $300 plus parking, VRBO service costs, and cleaning fees. This is for a studio with no real beach to speak of. Hawaii is becoming a playground for the wealthy.
Hawaii has always been a home and playground for the wealthy and famous but also was an amazing vacation and Tourism destination that was a bit expensive but manageable if saved for. Over the Decades, with Timeshare Over-Development and Sales, Hawaii has become increasingly beyond the reach of normal people. Legal Maneuvering by the Local and State Governments in Conjunction with Hoteliers have been Stifling any competition for reasonable rentals outside their sphere. Taxes are relied upon too heavily to provide for too much of Hawaiian Life and constantly driving prices higher. Breaking the Dependency is Inevitable, but how and when? Hawaiians Bitterness is evident too often, they don’t appreciate what benefits they get from tourism!
The reason Mr. Ellison was able to buy the entire island is because the entire island was sold by the Hawaiians to Walter Gibson in the late 1800’s. He sold the whole island to James Dole in 1912, Dole sold it to Castle and Cooke and Robert Murdock bought Castle and Cooke in 1985. Ellison bought it from Murdock and it is a good thing he did. And a better thing that throughout those 4 owners none of them ever really developed the island. There are still only about 1000 homes. Murdoct could have sold to a foreign group, a group that just wanted to maximize the development opportunities and maximize a return. Mr Ellison is investing hundreds of millions and keeping the island the most pristine and authentic island in the chain.
Thanks for the information Richard. Hopefully the Hawaiians got more than a few beads and trinkets.
True story: Before his latest 160 million super yacht, “Musashi”, Larry had a similar fascination with Japanese and “Zen” names. His earlier yacht was named “Isanami”. That was until his Public Affairs VP held a mirror in front of the boat’s stern.
Drum roll please: Isanami spelled backwards: Imanazi.
While that observation may be true, the irony dripped across San Francisco Bay until he had the boat name changed and boat re-christened.
I always wonder what percentage of the worlds resources the 1% uses compared to the rest of us. How nice to be able to support all of their charitable causes while raping the planet for their own personal enjoyment, meanwhile the rest of us can schlep to Hawaii on packed planes. How ironic a rich white person owns 98% of the island, how does this happen, didn’t the Hawaiian people own the island? Just asking. Can’t wait to take the ferry over there next time we visit Maui. Mahalo
That rich “white” person couldn’t have bought it if someone didn’t sell, so who’s really st fault here?
I agree 100%, that’s my question, how did an entire island come up for sale? Did the pineapple company own the entire island and how did they manage to own it? More curious than anything as to it’s history.
My first thought when reading this article is where was the government (what were they doing) as this island was being increasingly owned by one man? A thoughtful, proactive government would have purchased lands and held them for use in the public good (see Roosevelt, T. and the National Park System)….
Hawaii’s government is neither of those things.
Corrupt would be a better description.
What is there for visitors to do in Lanai City? It’s halfway(ish) up the hill from the water, between the two resorts, so a visitor is not by the water. Just curious. We have great memories of two 5-night stays at the Manele Bay Four Seasons, but I’d say we’re priced out now.
back in the day we stayed in a friends house for 2 weeks in Lanai City. it was heaven. this was before Ellison. swim everyday taking the free shuttle bus down (now $20?) and back up. lunch at the hotel on the wate (reasonable prices). Walks around the sweet town. kind lovely people everyone knows everyone. small restaurants, great shops. All changed now.
It’s was not sold by hawaiians. Hawaiians don’t own land. They are all care takers of the land. The state of hawaii sold lanai to those. Big difference. The officials at that time were haoles.
So happy that the A list enviro hypocrites are getting an extended runway.
Aloha BOH! We look to you for pertinent facts about travel and the Hawaii experience. Please make an an at least feeble attempt to hide your populist bias. Although some of what you say may be true, a simple 5th grade understanding of capitalism will lead to the fact that this will open up opportunities to visit (and leave for locals seeking medical care etc.) the island paradise. Trust me, I am far from rich and famous, but can clearly see the bias in your editorial about the reasons for the runaway expansion. Please! stay with the facts and resist the temptation to bag on those who are successful and bring so much opportunity to the islands with their wealth! our wonderful state doesn’t need more protectionist sentiment and jealousy!
Sorry Dan. Your buying into the “capitalist” trope will never change the fact that Capitalism carries with it one, single, undeniable imperative — secure and increase profits. The result of that economic dictum is that the 1% control 82 percent of the wealth. And the top 1 percent will always control most of the wealth until the other 99 percent figure out how to control the excesses of Capitalism. A few countries in the world have actually figured out how to be successful capitalists while providing for the health, safety and welfare of its population. In the U.S. the Church of Capitalism is as ingrained as your belief in it.
I would really like to see what examples you can cite in support of this statement:
“A few countries in the world have actually figured out how to be successful capitalists while providing for the health, safety and welfare of its population.”
Standing by!