As Hawaii faces a tsunami warning triggered by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, Oprah Winfrey’s response on Maui has ignited heated debate, with social media posts alleging she initially refused to open her private road for evacuees, contributing to severe traffic jams. The “Oprah’s Maui tsunami response” controversy centers on her 1,000-acre Kula ranch, where Thompson Road, a public route through her property, became a focal point during the July 29 evacuation.
While Winfrey’s team clarified the road was opened “hours ago,” per Men’s Journal, locals and online critics question her role as a major landowner, especially after her 2023 Maui wildfire relief efforts drew mixed reactions.
Oprah’s Maui Tsunami Response: What Happened?
The tsunami warning, issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) at 2:43 p.m. HST, prompted mass evacuations across Maui and Oahu, with sirens blaring and residents fleeing coastal areas.
Viral X posts claimed Oprah’s gated Thompson Road in Kula hindered evacuees, with one video stating, “C’mon Oprah, save us… the road’s still closed.” Hawaii News Now later reported the road was opened, citing Winfrey’s team granting county officials access.
Her 870-acre Ulupalakua Ranch purchase in 2023, valued at $6.6 million, and her total 2,000-acre Maui holdings have reignited scrutiny of her land ownership, with some locals arguing it restricts public access during emergencies.
Oprah’s History with Maui Wildfires in 2023
Oprah’s Maui presence has been controversial since the 2023 wildfires that killed 115 and devastated Lahaina. She and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson launched the People’s Fund of Maui, donating $10 million to provide $1,200 monthly payments to 2,200 displaced residents, per Los Angeles Times.
Critics slammed the billionaires for soliciting public donations, with fans questioning why they didn’t fully fund it themselves, given Winfrey’s $3 billion net worth.
Winfrey defended her efforts on CBS Mornings, saying the backlash “took the focus off the people of Maui.” Her hands-on aid distribution in shelters was praised, but 2025’s tsunami crisis has renewed calls for her to prioritize community access.
Maui and Oahu Tsunami Evacuation Challenges
The 2025 tsunami threat, with potential waves of 1-3 meters in Hawaii, caused chaos on Maui’s roads and Oahu’s H-1 highway. Pravda EN reported severe Maui traffic jams as residents fled, exacerbated by limited evacuation routes.
In Honolulu, beaches emptied as sirens sounded, and Pearl Harbor’s naval base heightened alerts. Hawaii News Now noted Oahu’s National Guard activation and port closures, with residents urged to seek elevations above 15 meters.
Unlike the 2023 wildfires, where Winfrey opened her road to aid evacuees, the delayed response in 2025 fueled criticism, with locals citing her vast landholdings as a barrier to efficient escapes.
Oprah’s Maui Land Ownership Under Scrutiny
Winfrey’s 2,000 acres across Kula and Hāna, including a $60 million estate, have long drawn attention. KHON2 detailed her 2003 purchase to prevent condo development, employing local workers to maintain undeveloped land, which earned praise from Maui councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura.
However, 2024 arrests of two 19-year-olds for illegal hunting on her ranch sparked accusations of “stolen lands,” with X users demanding she return property to native Hawaiians. Travel Noire reported comments like, “How does it feel, Oprah, owning stolen lands?” Her private road, while legally hers, remains a flashpoint during crises like the 2025 tsunami.
Debunking Misinformation Around Oprah in 2025
False narratives have plagued Winfrey’s Maui involvement. A May 2025 rumor, debunked by Snopes, claimed the FBI was investigating her for a “land grab” post-2023 wildfires, originating from a satirical America’s Last Line of Defense post.
Another 2023 PolitiFact report dismissed claims that Winfrey started the wildfires or painted her home blue to avoid laser-caused fires. These conspiracies, amplified by X and TikTok, resurface during the tsunami crisis, with some falsely linking her land purchases to disaster exploitation. RAND noted foreign actors, like China, may spread such misinformation to sow discord.
Implications for Oprah and Hawaii
The tsunami crisis underscores tensions between Hawaii’s wealthy landowners and locals. Winfrey’s efforts to preserve Maui’s land and support its economy are acknowledged, but her private road’s role in evacuations demands clearer protocols.
Maui News reported calls for policy changes to ensure public access during emergencies. As Hawaii braces for potential flooding, with the PTWC monitoring waves into July 31, Winfrey’s response could shape her legacy on the islands.