Benioff's Hawaiian Land Buying Spree Sparks Local Worries of Pricing Out and Cultural Erosion
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Tech billionaire Marc Benioff has quietly purchased over 600 acres of land in and around Waimea, Hawaii, stirring worries among locals about rising costs and losing Hawaiian culture.
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Benioff sees Hawaii as a magical, spiritual place and wants privacy for his family, but his plans for the properties remain largely unknown, fueling speculation.
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Median home prices in Waimea have shot up 87% since pre-pandemic, pricing many locals out as Benioff and others buy up limited inventory.
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Benioff says he has donated around $100 million anonymously to Hawaiian fire departments, schools, COVID relief and other local causes.
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About 165 acres of Benioff’s purchases seem to be for personal use like a family ranch, while 120 acres are slated for philanthropy like affordable housing.