PACIFIC BUSINESS NEWS- Jeff Bezos gives donation to help preserve 4 sites on Maui
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the wealthiest person in the world, has donated an unspecified amount to Hawaii Land Trust to contribute to environmental protection and stewardship for four areas on Maui, the local nonprofit announced this week.
A HILT spokeswoman told Pacific Business News on Thursday that it is the first donation to the organization for Bezos. HILT declined to tell PBN the amount or other details about the donation, such as how the arrangement was first made.
As of Thursday, Forbes listed Bezos' net worth at $199.3 billion. Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX ranked second at $151 billion.
“This generous gift will directly and perpetually benefit the health of Maui’s lands and communities,” said Laura Kaakua, president and CEO of Hawaii Land Trust, in a statement. “Mahalo piha. We greatly appreciate support for our ongoing land protection, stewardship and educational programs, especially during this time of increased need.”
HILT, which has a mission of "protecting and stewarding the lands that sustain Hawaii," says it has protected 21,500 acres spanning the Islands to date over the past decade. Specific areas it targets are coastlines, Hawaiian cultural landscapes and agricultural lands.
The four areas on Maui to benefit from Bezos' donation are:
Waihee, to restore the ancient Kapoho fishpond
Hana, to protect the 2-mile coastline from Mokae to Makaalae, in partnership with nonprofit Ke Ao Halii, Maui County and the state
Kaupo, to support stewardship of the Nuu wetland, an endangered bird habitat
Kahului and Wailuki, to fund a community farm and native plant sand dune restoration near Kahului Harbor
Bezos has been a prolific donator to various causes. Bloomberg reported Thursday that he donated $170 million in Amazon.com Inc. shares.