Oprah Winfrey has come under fire after being accused of delaying the opening of a private road on her Maui estate as residents scrambled to evacuate during tsunami warnings.
The 71-year-old media mogul owns a stretch of road connecting Wailea to Kula via an inland route.
Locals claim the road could significantly ease congestion on the island’s coastal highways as people head to higher ground.
Social media erupted with criticism, alleging that Winfrey failed to open the route as traffic gridlocked key roads during mass evacuations.
One widely shared post claimed: “Oprah won’t open her private road from Wailea to Kula, which would make it much easier for locals to get to higher ground.
“Massive traffic in Maui with thousands trying to escape. Open the road Oprah.”
Others echoed the sentiment, with posts calling the road potentially “life-saving” and demanding it be opened immediately.
Another alleged online: “A potentially life-saving route is being kept closed while people are stuck in cars with sirens blaring.”
However, Maui Police have since confirmed that the road is now open.
In a statement, the police department said: “Maui Veterans Highway is congested; use Cane Haul Road toward Hansen and Pulehu roads to get to Kula.
“Road above Makena Golf Course provides access to Ulupalakua. Also, Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry.”
A spokesperson for Winfrey also issued a statement denying the delay, telling the Daily Express: “As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened.
“Any reports otherwise are false. Local law enforcement are currently on site helping residents through 50 cars at a time to ensure everyone’s safety.
“The road will remain open as long as necessary.”
The Standard has contacted Oprah Winfrey’s rep for comment.
The backlash follows last year’s wildfires when Winfrey made the road available to support evacuation efforts.
On Monday, a tsunami alert was issued for Hawaii after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Russia.
Sirens sounded across the state, with residents urged to head inland or follow hotel evacuation protocols.
The National Weather Service warned the quake could affect Hawaii, Alaska and Japan, prompting widespread evacuations and heavy traffic across Maui.
