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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Larry Ellison’s Vision for Lanai


In June 2012, billionaire Larry Ellison, under the name Lanai Resorts LLC, purchased 98 percent of the island of Lanai. In a recent press conference, it was released that Ellison would like to build a new oceanfront hotel, expand the existing Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay, build a second airport runway, create a desalinization plant which would supply the whole island with fresh water, utilize more solar energy, and create free electric-car charging stations across the island. There are also plans to re-establish commercial farming on the island, create a university research center and create new health care and hospice care facilities for the residents. At this time, however, Lanai Resorts LLC has not given exact specifics on what would be done, nor did they give exact timelines as to when these projects would be started.
For the most part residents of Lanai approved of Ellison’s ideas, but have noted that they do not want Lanai to become too commercialized. President of the Lanaians for Sensible Growth, Butch Gima, commented, “Overall the community is I think excited and optimistic about the potential. There are really no red flags at this point.” Gima added that Lanai Resorts’ management is doing an excellent job engaging the community and asking them for advice and suggestions as to what they would like Ellison to accomplish.
Alan Arakawa, the Mayor of Maui (which includes the island of Lanai), commented, “This is probably the best thing that could have happened to the island,” he said. “The former owner was allowing it to deteriorate. My hat’s off to Larry (Ellison). His intent seems the very best. I see Ellison as trying to find all the things that can enhance Lanai. I don’t think it has to be his way or the highway.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-26-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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