Billionaires Own Significant Private Land in Hawaii Amid Zoning and Geographic Limits

In Hawaii, 37 billionaires own over 11% of private land, often keeping it undeveloped as private retreats. This concentration of ownership, combined with strict state zoning laws that limit urban development to about 5% of land and geographic challenges like cliffs and lava zones, contributes to the islands' sparse population and housing affordability issues for locals. Wealthy investors, including Hollywood stars and tech moguls, have shifted from urban luxury properties to large, remote land holdings in Hawaii.