Uncle Larry's Lanai Fiefdom
 

So King Ellison bought the island for a pittance, pretended to take care of the people of Lanai with short money to beautify Lanai City. Then closed the island to tourism, while buying an airline. Now his first resort is reopened, but he and his partners have shut down air service to the island. And on island journalism seems dead or silenced. Information is locked up tight.

I'm just glad I had the chance to visit The Lodge twice. We much preferred our visit under the Sheraton parent company, and found the multi million refurbish under the 4S brand to be a big disappointment.

I really don't think Uncle Larry Elison cares about the island or the peasants he is now responsible for. Of all the visits to Hawaii, I truly cherish talking story to more people on Lanai then any other island, be it a sit down chat with housekeeping, the greens men on the golf course, or the waitress in Lanai city serving breakfast, or the woman at the laundromat with her scrappy son frolicking.

When you have the finances to acquire an island with 2 5 starr branded resorts for only $500 million, you also aquire the responsibility to care for its people. I've had a bad feeling about this from the beginning.

So many grand plans, I think he wants to enlarge the airport so that only private jets have access.
Does not bode will for the islanders.

What do you think???

If he is friends with Donald Trump it will work out for him.
Expanding an airport means more planes can land there and not just private jets.
Airport expansion means more jobs in construction and hotel services.

That is really sad. Maybe the state of Hawaii could do immenient domain to get the land to build a public airport. Doesn't the State have an interest in setting aside land for public offices, buildings, national parks, roads?

It's his property. Let it go. Or else see if he'll sell some of it to you. Those are your two legal options.

What's really funny imo is that our federal government basically stole the entire island chain from the Hawaiian people, without a formal treaty. So long-term who knows what might happen. If Hawaii's independence movement succeeds I'm sure the new government will be knocking on Larry's door and asking for their island back. In the meantime I'm just glad he opted for Lanai and not another island like Molokai. We went to Lanai once and kept looking for a reason to return. Never found one.

fdecarlo, you forgot to make a really big deal about the political party which was in power in Washington when that theft occurred.

Dukey1, no I didn't. It was deemed necessary for... ready for it?... our national security, and was supported without much objection from anyone -- except of course the people who were having their country stolen against their will. Or mostly against their will.

You sound like ira. :)

I have nothing to reference, but in my foggy memory of reading a lot of hawaii's history - If I'm not mistaken, and I could be, the island of Lanai was sold by royalty to a sugar king and then pineapple king. The US goverernment's actions had nothing to do with it, and 90 some percent of the island has been privately owned since the original sale/trade.

Uncle Larry is making his on little fiefdom. Until now the locals have transitioned from life of the pines to life of the resort and golf course. They tell me working the pines was a march harder livelihood. I'm just not convinced that Uncle Larry has the peasants in their best interest. More about bringing in a new workforce to create his island for the elite. More raping of the land IMHO

fdcarlo, if you are going to comment on the history of hawaii in broad strokes you might enjoy this read

Lost Kingdom - Hawaii's Last Queen, the Sugar Kings and America's First Imperial Adventure

by Julia Flynn Siler

Just her bibliography is about 100 pages which reflects her research into the subject

lna, you're talking about Lanai. I'm talking about Hawaii being our 50th state. Our federal government had nothing to do with the first of those and everything to do with the second. It would be up to the new government in Hawaii to determine the status of previous land sales, including by their previous monarchy.

If the Hawaiian independence movement has any success at all, will the day come when America bombs Pearl Harbor?

OK, end the silliness. Hopefully, sufficient progress can be made in future negotiations, to somewhat satisy both sides. This will probably take a very long time, though.....

Every time I see the Hawaiian State flag (also the flag of their previous monarchy), I imagine that it represents a strong link to their proud past, and a considerable amount of stubborn nationalism. I've never discussed the whole issue with a Hawaiian. But I hope to, some day.

"the Hawaiian State flag (also the flag of their previous monarchy), I imagine that it represents a strong link to their proud past"

Also a good bit comprising the flag of Great Britain...

I don't think when Captain Cook brought the pox to Hawaii, they were flying that flag. The monarchs became enamored with the British Royals.

And yes fdecarlo I am talking about Lanai, hence the title subject. You however took my subject and changed it. Hawaii taking back its nation is akin to the Indian Nation taking back Manhattan.

You need to read a little more on the subject. A dozen U.S. states have cessation movements, the one and only case making progress is Hawaii's, specifically because it was taken without formal treaty. Unlike Manhattan.

Legally, Lanai is still part of the state of Hawaii, regardless of Ellison's private land ownership. He'd certainly be compensated financially and legally for it, but the ownership itself flies out the window along with statehood.

I don't need to do s#it. I started a thread about Lanai. You need to stop hijacking threads and turning them into a court of off subject debate. Why don't you go visit your local courthouse instead. I should know better then to engage this type of thread hijacking.

Does how Lanai != Lanai in a discussion.

It was an offhand comment. Sorry if it offended anyone. But unless you or someone else posts evidence to the contrary I think I'm correct on my claims. Ellison's ownership may turn out to be temporary. According to your OP you should be hoping for that, not attacking people who raise the prospect, so you'll need to account for your hostility.