Co-founder of eGenesis video games buys another 21 acres on Big Island

March 23, 2026 - 17:02

Andrew Tepper, co-founder of the prominent video game company eGenesis, has significantly expanded his footprint on Hawaiʻi Island with the acquisition of an additional 21 acres of land. The purchase adds to his existing agricultural properties in the Pāpaʻikou area.

The newly acquired parcel is slated for agricultural revitalization, with Tepper focusing specifically on restoring a lychee orchard on the land. This move aligns with broader local interests in diversifying and supporting island agriculture.

Concurrently, Tepper is pursuing a county permit for a proposed event called “Falls on Fire,” intended to be held on his previously purchased agricultural land in the same district. The festival concept has been a point of discussion and some controversy within the community, with residents previously raising concerns about noise, traffic, and the appropriateness of a large-scale event on agriculturally zoned property.

Tepper’s expanding investments highlight a continuing trend of off-island capital acquiring Big Island land. The dual focus of agricultural restoration and event-based tourism on these properties continues to generate local attention and dialogue regarding land use priorities and the future of rural districts. The permit application for the festival is currently under review by county officials.