Exploring the Ownership History of Lanai- Who Held the Hawaiian Paradise Before Ellison’s Reign-

Who owned Lanai before Ellison?

Lanai, the smallest and most remote of the Hawaiian Islands, has a rich history that dates back centuries. Before the era of Larry Ellison, the tech magnate and Oracle Corporation founder, Lanai was under the ownership of various individuals and entities. Understanding the history of Lanai’s ownership before Ellison’s tenure provides insight into the island’s cultural, economic, and environmental evolution. Let’s delve into the story of who owned Lanai before Ellison took the reins.

The first recorded owner of Lanai was the ancient Hawaiian monarchy. During the time of Kamehameha I, the island was a part of the Kingdom of Hawaii. However, in 1843, the Hawaiian Islands were annexed by the United States, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii in 1846. Despite this change in political status, the Hawaiian monarchy retained control over Lanai.

In 1850, the Hawaiian monarchy granted a lease to James Makee, a businessman from New England, to develop the island’s sugarcane industry. Makee founded the Dole Plantation, which became one of the largest sugarcane plantations in the world. Under Makee’s leadership, Lanai thrived as a sugarcane empire, with the plantation employing thousands of workers.

After Makee’s death in 1864, the island was sold to Charles Kanahele, a local Hawaiian businessman. Kanahele continued to expand the sugarcane industry on Lanai, but faced financial difficulties and was forced to sell the island in 1909.

The new owner, Alexander L. & Sarah Thorne, were American sugar planters who acquired Lanai to continue the sugarcane operations. They renamed the plantation the “Lanai Agricultural Company” and further expanded the sugarcane industry, making Lanai one of the most productive sugar plantations in the world.

In 1962, Castle & Cooke, a Honolulu-based real estate and sugar company, purchased Lanai. Castle & Cooke continued to operate the sugar plantation, but faced increased competition from other sugar producers and the decline of the sugar industry in Hawaii. In 1985, Castle & Cooke decided to close the Lanai plantation, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs and the end of an era for the island.

After the closure of the plantation, Castle & Cooke began exploring alternative uses for the island. In 1987, they opened the “Lanai Luxury Resort,” a high-end resort and golf course, to attract tourists to the island. However, the resort’s success was limited, and Castle & Cooke continued to search for a buyer.

In 2012, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corporation, purchased Lanai for approximately $300 million. Ellison, a self-made billionaire, saw potential in the island’s natural beauty and resources, and envisioned transforming Lanai into a sustainable and eco-friendly community. Under Ellison’s ownership, Lanai has seen significant investments in renewable energy, conservation efforts, and the development of new businesses, such as the “Lanai Ocean Sports” and “Lanai Resorts.” Ellison’s vision for Lanai has sparked debates among locals and environmentalists, with some praising his efforts and others questioning the impact of his development plans.