Amidst a recent tsunami warning in Hawaii, a persistent wave of misinformation surfaced online, falsely accusing media mogul Oprah Winfrey of obstructing access to a crucial private road on Maui during evacuation efforts.
Contrary to the widely circulated claims, the private stretch of Kealakapu Road, commonly referred to as “Oprah’s road,” is not, in fact, owned by Winfrey but belongs to Haleakalā Ranch, a vast 30,000-acre property with deep historical roots on Maui.
While Winfrey does not own the road, her connection stems from an easement agreement with the ranch, which permits her to use and make specific improvements, including paving, to the thoroughfare, as confirmed by her representatives and the ranch’s president.
Immediately following the tsunami alert, Haleakalā Ranch took swift action, engaging with local fire departments and the Maui Emergency Management Agency to ensure the road’s accessibility, facilitating the evacuation of hundreds of vehicles within hours.
Official advisories from Maui County confirmed the road’s opening, with Winfrey’s representatives unequivocally stating that efforts were made to open the road quickly in cooperation with local officials and Oprah’s Ranch, debunking any notions of delayed access.
This incident is not an isolated one; Oprah Winfrey has been the target of similar baseless accusations in the past, including false claims during the devastating Maui wildfires regarding private firefighters and restricted land access.
In stark contrast to the circulating falsehoods, Winfrey has demonstrated a strong commitment to Maui’s community, notably co-founding the People’s Fund for Maui with Dwayne Johnson, which has raised substantial funds to aid wildfire victims.
The recurrent nature of these claims also highlights existing community frustrations among some residents regarding large landholdings by wealthy public figures on Maui and concerns about housing supply exacerbated by short-term rentals.
The swift debunking of these recent tsunami-related allegations serves as a critical reminder of the pervasive challenge of online misinformation, especially during times of public crisis, emphasizing the need for verified information sources.
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