Larry Ellison dropped hints about his plans to use Lanai as an eco-lab that runs on solar and other renewables. The big reveal came last week as his Lanai head of business operations told all at a community meeting — new hotel, new runway and a new water supply (via desalination) are all on the agenda.

Renewables play a big role in Lanai’s future under Ellison, too. He plans to expand the island’s solar farm, create a smart grid and build more electric vehicle charging stations, according to Pacific Business News.

PBN reports:  

A big priority for Ellison is to help spur small-business development by creating a second commercial area with land available for sale or lease, as well as providing easy access to coaching and technical support for small-business owners.

Ellison also wants to bring back commercial agriculture to Lanai, including farming to feed the island’s residents as well as creating ag for exporting.

Another economic development for the island is research and development and Ellison hopes to attract a respected university to create a research center on Lanai that will bring people from around the world to study sustainability, the plan said.

Photo credit: Billionaire Larry Ellison in 2009, via Oracle Corporate Communications, Wikimedia Commons.