Oprah Winfrey criticised over alleged blocking of private Maui road amid Hawaii tsunami evacuation
Photo: Reuters
Oprah Winfrey is facing growing criticism following claims that she did not open her private road in Maui, Hawaii, during the recent tsunami evacuation.
The road reportedly links Wailea to Kula, a higher elevation area, and could have offered a quicker escape route for those fleeing low-lying coastal zones.
Footage shared across social media platforms depicts severe traffic congestion as residents scrambled to evacuate amid the tsunami warning. As scenes of gridlocked roads circulated, some users accused Winfrey of keeping her private access route closed.
🚨 BREAKING: Oprah HAS NOT opened her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would allow coastal folks to reach higher ground quickly, locals tell me
OPEN THE ROAD, @OPRAH!
Roads on Maui are GRIDLOCKED as people try to escape the incoming Tsunami
“I'm stuck with my… pic.twitter.com/UaPiDJpjqGAt present, these allegations remain unverified. No official statement has been released by Oprah Winfrey or her representatives, and media outlets.
This is not the first time Winfrey’s land ownership in Maui has drawn attention. In the past, she has allowed access to the road during wildfire evacuation efforts and has donated to help local communities.
As the situation unfolds, residents and observers continue to call for clearer communication and greater cooperation from public figures during times of crisis.