Oprah Winfrey did open her private road in Maui to help residents evacuate during the tsunami warning, contrary to claims that she refused to do so.
False
Oprah Winfrey not opening her private road in Maui to help people escape the tsunami.
Did Oprah Winfrey refuse to open private Maui road during Hawaii tsunami evacuation? Backlash grows - Hindustan Times
Source: hindustantimes.com
At a glance
Verified July 30, 2025Key Evidence
The New York Times and People magazine reported that Oprah Winfrey opened her private road in Maui to help residents evacuate after a tsunami warning.
nytimes.comnytimes.comOprah Opens Maui Road to Help Residents Flee After Hawaii Tsunami Warning
people.compeople.comOprah Winfrey Opens Her Private Road in Maui for Tsunami Evacuation as Waves Hit...
Local authorities and police statements also confirmed her cooperation during the emergency.
express.co.ukexpress.co.ukHawaii tsunami: Police release statement as Oprah Winfrey hit with backlash
Social media claims of refusal were widely circulated but proven false by these credible sources.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple credible news sources report that Oprah Winfrey owns a private road in Maui that connects Wailea to Kula. During the 2023 Maui wildfires, she had previously opened this road to aid evacuation efforts, which set public expectations for similar cooperation during the tsunami emergency. Despite social media backlash and viral claims alleging that she refused to open the road during the tsunami evacuation, authoritative reports and statements from local authorities confirm that Oprah Winfrey did open her private road to assist residents fleeing to higher ground.
The misinformation appears to have spread rapidly on social media platforms, but official sources and news outlets have clarified the situation, debunking the claim that she blocked or refused access to the road.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source