Oprah Winfrey pushed back against claims that her private road on her Maui estate was closed during the overnight tsunami evacuation, calling the accusations “completely false.” The controversy erupted after social media posts alleged evacuees were blocked from using the road as a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered evacuation orders across Hawaii.
According to the claims, residents attempting to flee the Upcountry Maui area were turned away from the entrance of Winfrey’s property, forcing them to seek alternate routes as the tsunami warning unfolded. The accusations quickly spread online, fueled by lingering criticism of the billionaire’s response to last year’s Lahaina wildfires.
Winfrey’s representatives responded swiftly, stating, “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.”
“Local law enforcement are currently on site helping residents through 50 cars at a time to ensure everyone’s safety. The road will remain open as long as necessary,” the spokesperson added.
Local authorities backed Winfrey’s account. The Maui Police Department confirmed the road was opened to the public during the evacuation and said officers were present to manage the flow of approximately 50 cars at a time to keep the route safe. “Coordination was critical due to the narrowness of the roadway,” the department noted in its statement.
