Amidst a significant tsunami warning that impacted Hawaii, a wave of social media claims incorrectly asserted that Oprah Winfrey had deliberately obstructed access to a private road, hindering vital Maui evacuation efforts. These viral posts suggested a celebrity’s personal property took precedence over public safety, stirring considerable debate and concern across digital platforms and local communities.
The initial Hawaii tsunami alert followed one of the century’s most potent seismic events, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake near a Russian peninsula, prompting widespread advisories across the Pacific. During this critical period, platforms like X and TikTok became conduits for the rapidly spreading but baseless narratives, alleging Oprah Winfrey either outright refused or significantly delayed opening “her” private thoroughfare to residents seeking safer, higher ground.
However, a thorough fact check reveals these assertions to be entirely false. The segment of Kealakapu Road, often colloquially termed “Oprah’s road,” is not, in fact, owned by Oprah Winfrey. Instead, it is the property of Haleakala Ranch, which possesses the surrounding land. Oprah Winfrey maintains an easement agreement with the ranch, permitting her to utilize and enhance the road, including its paving, as confirmed by her representatives and the ranch president, Scott Meidell.
Crucially, the decision to open these private roads to the public rests primarily with the landowner. Haleakala Ranch initiated communication with the local fire department and the Maui Emergency Management Agency shortly after 3 p.m. local time, almost immediately after the tsunami warning was issued. Their swift action ensured the road was made accessible just after 5 p.m., with ranch personnel actively assisting in the Maui evacuation of an estimated 150 to 200 vehicles until 7 p.m.
Maui County officials confirmed the accessibility of “Oprah’s road” in a press release issued shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, reiterating the advisory in a later update. By 7 p.m., further evacuations through the private roads were deemed unnecessary, as law enforcement confirmed that the main highway had been cleared of traffic. Representatives for Oprah Winfrey unequivocally stated that as soon as the Hawaii tsunami warning was issued, they collaborated with local officials and Oprah’s Ranch to ensure the road’s immediate opening, discrediting any contrary social media claims.
Haleakala Ranch, a family-owned entity since the late 1800s, manages nearly 30,000 acres in Maui. The private roads in question serve as a vital link between a public roadway and an oceanside highway. This incident also underscored long-standing frustrations among some Hawaii residents regarding the extensive landholdings of wealthy public figures like Oprah Winfrey and the impact of short-term rentals on the island’s already constrained housing supply, an issue exacerbated by the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
This is not the first instance where Oprah Winfrey has been the subject of unfounded social media claims during crises. Following the deadly Lahaina wildfires, false narratives circulated alleging she hired private firefighters for her land or restricted access during evacuations. In response to these and other fabrications, Oprah Winfrey, alongside Dwayne Johnson, co-founded the People’s Fund for Maui, committing a substantial $10 million and raising nearly $60 million to aid residents affected by the disaster, showcasing her commitment to the Hawaii community.
Furthermore, past events demonstrate Oprah Winfrey’s consistent cooperation with local authorities. In 2019, amidst a brush fire in Maui’s southern region, she granted county officials permission to use the very same private roads for emergency access, though it was ultimately not utilized. This historical context further strengthens the fact check against the recent social media claims that fueled misinformation during a critical Hawaii tsunami scare, highlighting the persistent challenge of distinguishing verifiable information from baseless online narratives.
Leave a Reply