Hawaii bill compels mediation for Zuckerberg-type land deals

January 20, 2017 at 4:38 p.m. | Updated January 20, 2017 at 4:45 p.m.

by Associated Press

This Jan. 15, 2017 photo shows public Pilaa Beach, center, below hillside and ridgetop land owned by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, near Kilauea on the north shore of Kauai in Hawaii. Zuckerberg Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, went to court to gain ownership of isolated pockets of land tucked away within his sprawling estate in Hawaii, many of which are less than an acre and could be split between hundreds of owners in a situation unique to the islands. (Ron Kosen/photospectrumkauai.com via AP)
This Jan. 15, 2017 photo shows public Pilaa Beach, center, below hillside and ridgetop land owned by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, near Kilauea on the north shore of Kauai in Hawaii. Zuckerberg Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, went to court to gain ownership of isolated pockets of land tucked away within his sprawling estate in Hawaii, many of which are less than an acre and could be split between hundreds of owners in a situation unique to the islands. (Ron Kosen/photospectrumkauai.com via AP)

HONOLULU (AP) - A Hawaii lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that could force Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg into mediation before he is allowed to buy real estate on Kauai island.

State Rep. Kaniela Ing said Friday says Hawaii's sugar barons employed laws Zuckerberg is using to take land from Native Hawaiians.

He says Zuckerberg is "completing the theft."

Zuckerberg last month filed lawsuits to identify owners of 14 parcels interspersed with his 700-acre spread so he could pay them and buy the land.

Ownership of the small lots could be split between hundreds and many of them unidentified.

If passed, Ing's bill would likely take effect July 1. It would apply to Zuckerberg's cases if they are still ongoing.

A Zuckerberg spokesman did not immediately return email and phone messages seeking comment.

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