An aerial view of the Manele Bay beach and one of two Four Seasons resort properties on the island of Lanai.

For the first time in years, new development is being proposed on the island of Lanai, near Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort. The plans would expand theHawaiiresort area by roughly 85 acres. It would mark a change for the140-square-mile island, which has a population of just a few thousand residents centered in Lanai City.

Oracle CEO and billionaire Larry Ellison has owned roughly 98% of Lanai since 2012, when he purchased the island from David Murdock. Since then, the island has seen significant changes under his ownership, includingredevelopment of its two resort properties, upgrades toinfrastructureand high-techagricultural projects.

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On April 15, Ellison’s land and asset management company, Lanai Resorts LLC,submitted a petitionto the state Land Use Commission, requesting that approximately 170 acres be rezoned for development.

“The Petition seeks to amend approximately 95.844 acres from the State Agricultural District and approximately 74.381 acres from the State Rural District to the State Urban District,” the filing stated. “The requested reclassification is intended to align the State Land Use District designation with the applicable Community Plan, existing resort-related and ranch uses, and proposed County zoning and Koele Project District updates, and to facilitate continued and future development consistent with the planned use of the area.”

The land proposed for reclassification includes pastureland and stables used by Lanai Ranch, a former golf course that closed in 2017, and unused tennis courts.

An aerial view of the Manele Bay area and one of two Four Seasons resort properties on the island of Lanai.

If approved, the change would allow for expanded resort-related uses, such as outdoor dinners and weddings. About 83 acres from the former golf course will be used as a park “for guests to enjoy as part of their stay at the Resorts.”

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Source: Drudge Report