Rumor Clarification: Was Oprah Winfrey's Private Road Closed During the Hawaii Tsunami Warning?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta A widespread rumor on social media accused celebrity Oprah Winfrey of closing a private road on her Maui, Hawaii, property during a tsunami warning on July 29, 2025.

This claim raised concerns that the action prevented residents from evacuating to safer areas.

This allegation was widely discussed on platforms like X and TikTok, creating a negative narrative surrounding Oprah's response to the emergency.

In response to the accusation, Oprah Winfrey's spokesperson vehemently denied the claim, calling it untrue.

They stated that immediately after receiving the tsunami warning, Winfrey's family contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened for a smooth evacuation.

This clarification aims to clear up misinformation and reassure the public.

This incident is not the first time Oprah Winfrey has been the target of misinformation related to her Maui property during an emergency.

A similar pattern occurred during the 2023 Maui wildfires, demonstrating the tendency for inaccurate information to spread.

It is important to rely on official and verified sources to gain an accurate understanding of this incident.

Authorities in Maui have issued an official statement refuting rumors of the closure of Oprah Winfrey's private road.

Maui County officials and the Maui Police Department explicitly confirmed that the road, often referred to as "Oprah Road," is open for evacuation.

This confirmation was disseminated through various emergency alerts, ensuring that the route is accessible to residents in need.

Furthermore, local law enforcement was reportedly on site to assist residents in navigating the road in an orderly manner.

They facilitated the movement of up to 50 cars at a time, ensuring everyone could evacuate safely and efficiently.

The road remained open as long as necessary, demonstrating a commitment to public safety during the emergency.

Another important fact is the ownership of the road.

The road known as "Oprah Road" is actually privately owned by Haleakalā Ranch, not Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah has an easement agreement with the ranch, allowing her to use and make improvements to the road.

This confirms that Oprah does not have full control over access to the road.

The tsunami warning that triggered this incident was issued on July 29, 2025, following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake.

This powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and generated tsunami warnings and advisories for much of the Pacific, including Hawaii.

This situation demanded a swift response from all involved parties.

Although Hawaii was expected to be the worst affected, with initial waves reportedly reaching up to five feet above sea level, the warning was downgraded.

Within hours, the tsunami warning was changed to an advisory, signaling that the significant threat had diminished.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green expressed relief that no large waves were observed, bringing relief to residents.

In this urgent situation, Oprah Winfrey's spokesperson emphasized that they did not stand idly by.

They immediately contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was accessible to the public.

This proactive step demonstrates an effort to contribute to public safety, rather than hinder it, as rumored.

This private road closure rumor adds to a long list of misinformation targeting Oprah Winfrey regarding her Maui properties.

Previously, during the devastating Maui wildfires of 2023, similar false claims circulated widely.

These allegations included that Oprah hired a private fire department to protect her own land and hired security to keep others away from her properties during evacuations.

These claims lacked evidence and were proven false, yet they successfully created a negative narrative amidst the crisis.

This pattern of misinformation demonstrates how public figures are often targeted by conspiracy theories and fake news, especially during difficult times.

It is important for the public to be critical of information and always seek verification from credible sources.

In contrast to the negative rumors, Oprah Winfrey demonstrated her commitment to Maui's recovery.

She collaborated with Dwayne Johnson to launch the People's Fund for Maui, an initiative to assist residents who lost their homes in the wildfires.

The fund had raised nearly $60 million as of April 2024, demonstrating Oprah's commitment to supporting the Maui community affected by the disaster.