Oprah Winfrey has strongly denied accusations that she blocked a private road on her property in Maui, Hawaii, amid tsunami panic following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Russia on July 30. The earthquake triggered widespread tsunami warnings, prompting panic among residents in Hawaii who were urged to evacuate to higher ground.
Social Media Uproar
The controversy began when a Twitter user claimed that locals in Maui were trying to escape a potential tsunami and were begging Oprah to open a private road leading to higher ground. The post stated that Winfrey was refusing to allow access, despite severe traffic and the need for an escape route. The tweet quickly went viral, amassing over 2.7 million views.
One user wrote, “Oprah won’t open her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would make it much easier for locals to get to higher ground.” The public outcry grew, with many people urging Winfrey to open the road for emergency access.
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Winfrey’s Response
In response to the growing backlash, Winfrey’s spokesperson clarified the situation, telling Newsweek:
“As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened. Any reports otherwise are false.”
The spokesperson confirmed that Winfrey had not prevented access to the road, and they had acted promptly to coordinate with emergency services to open the road.
Public Intervention
Despite the denial from Winfrey’s team, the claims continued to circulate, with another post stating that President Trump had intervened and that Oprah had “finally” opened the road to aid evacuation. This claim also drew significant attention, as some social media users suggested that Winfrey had waited until after public intervention to act.
The controversy spread even further when the Maui Police Department confirmed that Oprah’s road had been available for emergency access during the tsunami warning. The Maui Police stated, “Oprah’s road is available to get Upcountry,” and emphasized that it was open for use.
Tsunami Warnings Lifted
Fortunately, the tsunami threat was downgraded after the initial warnings, and authorities reported only minor waves in the aftermath. Governor Josh Green of Hawaii expressed relief, stating:
“So far we have not seen a wave of consequence, which is a great relief to us… We expect to be about two to three hours at least until we can call ‘all clear.’ So far though, at the moment, so good.”
Previous Instances of Road Access
This is not the first time Oprah has opened her private road for public safety. In both 2019 and 2023, Winfrey allowed the road to be used for evacuations during wildfires in the area.
Despite the controversy, the situation seems to have resolved itself, with the tsunami warning lifted and people returning to their homes. The allegations against Winfrey appear to be based on misinformation, with her team acting swiftly to ensure the safety of the public during the crisis.
Trump’s Message of Support
Amid the crisis, former President Donald Trump also shared a message on Truth Social, urging those in the affected areas to stay safe and to follow official tsunami updates from tsunami.gov.
“Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov/ for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”
With the immediate threat now passed, it seems the situation has been resolved, but the viral nature of the initial allegations has certainly added fuel to the ongoing public conversation about celebrities and their involvement in local issues.
