Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is "reconsidering" his recent move to sue locals who have stakes in portions of his Kauai, Hawaii estate, a major news daily reported.
Due to widespread criticism he is currently facing for such efforts, Zuckerberg told the Business Insider on Tuesday that he is reconsidering his move.
"Based on feedback from the local community, we are reconsidering the quiet title process and discussing how to move forward," CNBC quoted the Facebook top executive say.
"We want to make sure we are following a process that protects the interests of property owners, respects the traditions of native Hawaiians, and preserves the environment... We love Kauai. We want to be good members of the community and preserve the land for generations to come," Zuckerberg added.
The head honcho of the most successful social networking site filed eight title lawsuits versus hundreds of Hawaiians with ancestral ownership rights to 14 parcels of land. It comprises 8.04 acres on his 700-acre beachfront property back in December 2016 to force them to sell such rights.
Zuckerberg reportedly spent $100 million to purchase the property, according to CBC.
The owners received their land through the Kuleana Act, a landmark Hawaiian law established in 1850 that gave natives the right to own the land that they lived on.
Last week, Zuckerberg said, "For most of these folks, they will now receive money for something they never even knew they had. No one will be forced off the land."
Locals, as well as Hawaii State Representative Kaniela Ing, expressed their discontent regarding Zuckerberg's plans.
"We cannot allow billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg to use piles of money to tilt Hawaii's justice system against local residents... Let's remind Zuckerberg that, in Hawaii, we approach each other with aloha and talk story first. We don't initiate conversation by suing our neighbors," Ing posted on Facebook.
