Facebook CEO’s Kauai neighbors upset about new wall
JESSE CASTRO / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Workers from Malafu Contractors were building a stone wall along the property owned by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Kilauea, Kauai, on Tuesday.
Some of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s neighbors are grumbling about a rock wall he’s having built on his property on the north shore of Kauai.
Retiree Moku Crain said today the wall looks daunting and forbidding. Crain hopes and expects Zuckerberg will soften the wall’s look by planting foliage around it.
The wall began going up about four to six weeks ago. It runs along the property next to a road in the town of Kilauea.
“Whereas before when we drove along the road we could see the ocean and see through the property, it’s closing off that view,” Crain said. “So I think that’s part of it. Nobody likes change.”
Crain estimated the wall was about 6 feet tall and that another existing wall on the property was only about 4 feet. Few would complain if the new wall was built at the same height, Crain predicted.
Lindsay Andrews, a spokeswoman for the billionaire’s Kauai property operations, says the rock wall is designed to reduce highway and road noise. Similar walls are routinely used for this purpose, she said. The wall follows all rules and regulations, she said.
“Our entire team remains committed to ensuring that any development respects the local landscape and environment and is considerate of neighbors,” she said in a statement.
Other neighbors told The Garden Island newspaper on Kauai that the wall was oppressive, blocks breezes and views and “doesn’t feel neighborly.”
But software engineer Brian Catlin said the fence looks nice. He said it’s an improvement on the barbed wire fence that was there. He said the complaining was limited to “just a few crybabies” and “nobody else cares.”
“If they wanted to protect the view, they should have bought that land,” Catlin said. “He paid a lot of money for that so he can do what he wants with it.”
Catlin insisted the rock wall was less than 6 feet tall because that’s how tall he is and he can see over it.
Forbes reported Zuckerberg paid over $100 million for the property, which spans more than 700 acres on the coast, in 2014.
Catlin said it was a good thing Zuckerberg bought the property because a previous landowner had plans to build a housing development on part of it, which would have increased cars and traffic. The Garden Island newspaper reported in 2014 that a 357-acre section of the property called the Kahuaina plantation had been subdivided for 80 luxury homes of up to seven acres a piece.
52 responses to “Facebook CEO’s Kauai neighbors upset about new wall”
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‘Retiree Moku Crain said today the wall looks daunting and forbidding.’ Dah! It is supposed to keep out subhumans. So the more “daunting and forbidding” it looks , the better.
Well, sure. We all know how impermeable a 72 inch high wall is. Maybe you should pass your theory along to Mr. Trump for his Mexico solution? He’s afraid of “subhumans” too!
That “subhumans” comment is concerning. Are you an inmate in a mental hospital?
Nah. He’s at the very front of the evolutionary line. Can’t you tell?
Trump supporter. Guaranteed.
Well, subhuman is kinda questionable, but so is ignorant, imbecile, liar, racist, and a few other choice invectives hurled around here daily…
The size racist shoe fits where it fits… And, there’s nothing merely questionable about “subhuman.”
So you stand in defense of the rhetoric? Questionable in itself…
Another Crooked Hillary supporter who’s stuck on stupid. Why are you concerned about a Trump wall? Protects the country. Geez people on Kauai scared about the Super Ferry and the “Wall.” Time to enter the 21st century people.
Subhumans is a my new word creation, meaning riffraff, humans with sub-human behavior.
Klastri, grow up you racist imbecile. You’re the ultimate troll and bring up racial issues that don’t exist. No one is calling Mexicans subhuman except for you! Trump is just trying to STOP Illegal immigrants which mostly happen to be Mexicans. If Africans, Chinese or even extra-terrestrial aliens lived South of the US border it wouldn’t make a difference, it’s all to just minimize and complicate any easy crossings. Get over your racist propaganda.
Sad to say arrogant Zuckerberg is the classic neighbor from H E _ _ . In Palo Alto he bought out four of his neighbors because their homes had views into his property. Then he tore them down, expanding his empire.
Clearly he is following the failing example of China, saying he owns everything, if you do not like his property expansions, too bad. This is as his facebook empire is crumbling, people moving on to better technology, leaving him in the dust.
http://time.com/money/4346766/mark-zuckerberg-houses/
Very nice wall, first class. Where is Kurt of Kauai. Haven’t heard from him for a while. He had similar tendencies like Klastri. One and the same?
Maybe Magnum, PI can get on the case for you. All it takes is kala, pal. Cough it up or choke on it.
“If they wanted to protect the view, they should have bought that land,” Catlin said. “He paid a lot of money for that so he can do what he wants with it.”
True I guess but really? Nice attitude.
Catlin is the kind of neighbor that you don’t want to have.
The people with the bad attitude are the ones who are complaining about a 6 foot tall wall which is common everywhere.
If people want a view while driving, drive someplace else. What a bunch of whiners.
True? Absolutely! Whiners and crybabies, always looking for someone or something else to blame, never their fault.
How or why is this newsworthy?
and where is the picture of said wall?
How can we catch a glimpse of the rich and famous if they build a wall??
Another article I read said the wall was $100 million. I was like – Whoa? Rocks made out of gold? Glad this article makes it a little more clear.
Sounds like Mr Catlin is the voice of reason.
A voice considerably altered by hanakuso — the result of an allergy to the working class.
He bought the property..he can do what he wants. They should have bought it if they wanted to protect the view.
zuckerberg is against Trump’s wall to stop illegals from entering our country but it is okay if he builds a wall for his Kauai home.
Kind of doubtful he will spend a lot of time on Kauai as his main residence is in Paulo Alto, California.
By the way SA, just who is Brian Catlin?? He does seem to be a tody for Zuckerberg.
not a good analogy but I agree that the wall is arrogant and unpleasant for other rich people to look at.
Cost of wall?
He should have hired Mufi, Caldwell and his cronies. Only then would the wall truly be newsworthy.
But the wall would have to be stopped short. Zuckerberg wanted it done right so he left them out of it.
The rich can do whatever they like.
Wow! A nice stone wall! Privacy bought and paid for by a private citizen who happen to be rich! This is America, land of the free! Kids, count your blessings instead of complaining!
There are lots of walls that tall and wide around Oahu. Look around Kahala, Kailua, etc., etc. Private ownership.
Just so long as he doesn’t cause run-off problems like Jimmy Pflueger had with Kauai county even before his fatal dam calamity.
Maui and now Kauai turning into Waki Wakis. All of Hawaii pau now…
Pretty much most of Hawaii. I’m happy here on Molokai!
Kauai people are just a bunch of cry babies. This is no Super Ferry. One day they will wish the Super Ferry was operational. Cry Babies!
It’s the immigrants, not the locals.
The anti-Superferry crybabies are still at it on Kauai. NIMBY’s….all of them.
C’mon, folks….it’s just a wall! Get over it. I’m sure as Catlin states, “the complaining was limited to “just a few crybabies” and “nobody else cares.” It’s Zuckerberg’s own private property so he can do as he wants with it within the law. Just be glad it keeps the property from becoming a dump site for old cars and refrigerators.
If he didn’t build a wall, then he would have an obscene, enormous mansion that was visible from the world and 1) the NIMBY kauaians (most who are transplants there) would be complaining how it sticks out and is not in the tradition or style of Kauai homes. Perhaps even cause it out shadows their own properties who were way above the Kauai plantation style homes of sleepy Kilauea they invaded. Hypocrites. 2) if there was no wall, tourists would be pulling over and stopping to look at the chance to see Zuck or how the rich and famous live, and then the NIMBYs would complain of traffic.
Visible from the road
what a bunch of crybabies, it’s legal…………….stop the whining………
Probably part of the same group that wanted the Super Ferry to stay out of Kauai!
Yes, the same wealthy crybabies with their multi-million dollar views, poor them.
BTW, for those with $100 million or more to spend. I’m selling unobstructed views of planet Earth, I have 500 acres for sale on the West side of the moon (spaceship NOT included) Sorry, no beach access, that will require space travel to planet earth but you won’t need to worry about other pesky rich tycoons obstructing your view of planet earth.
CAVE: Citizens Against Virtually Everything
lol he can do what he wants as long as it’s within code
Wow! 37 people concerned enough at 0800 to write about a stone wall on someones property? [disclaimer: I have a stone wall around my house, it has orchids growing from the interstices.} How about channeling some of that energy to something that matters?
And you just made 38..LOL
All these Liberal’s love to bash Trump about his plans for a wall and Viola ! ! He’s building what ? A wall for crying out loud. Libtards are always, do what I say, not what I do. Never Vote Liberal. ABC 2016
I wish I had money to build a 6ft. stone wall. All I got is a 4ft.chainlink. Now the people on the street can watch me garden in my bvd’s. Scary west side.
I’ll pitch in to help you build that wall just to NOT see you in your bvds! Then again I don’t live on the scary side. Many condolences to your neighbors that have to endure the sight!
Hah, don’t knock the view. NB is Buff.