**Oprah Winfrey Responds to Backlash Over Private Road During Hawaii Tsunami Evacuation**
Tsunami waves struck Hawaii following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. As evacuation efforts ramped up, social media users accused Maui resident Oprah Winfrey of refusing to open her private road to help people flee to higher ground, sparking widespread outrage online.
The controversy began after a viral video on X (formerly Twitter) showed a line of cars near a closed gate, allegedly on Oprah’s property. In the clip, someone is heard saying, “C’mon Oprah, save us… cops trying to open it. Nope, still closed.” Many users criticized her, demanding she open the road immediately to allow evacuees access to safety.
Oprah owns land in Kula, Maui, where Thompson Road—a public route running through her property—became a focal point during the evacuation. Users accused her of keeping a “potentially life-saving route” shut while traffic gridlocked.
In response, Oprah’s team stated the road was never closed. According to a spokesperson, “As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was open. Any reports otherwise are false.”
The Maui Police Department later confirmed via their Tsunami Warning Update that Oprah’s road was indeed open and being used to help residents move to higher ground. They noted law enforcement was onsite directing traffic and allowing about 50 vehicles through at a time for safety.
Despite the initial backlash, officials and Oprah’s representatives reassured the public that the road was available and would remain open as long as needed.