Hawaii tsunami warnings prompted dispute over private road access, with Oprah accused of refusing to open it
In the midst of the ongoing Tsunami Warning, a wave of misinformation has swept across social media, claiming that a private road near Oprah Winfrey's Maui estate was blocked off during the emergency. However, fact-checking reveals that this allegation is unfounded.
On July 29, 2025, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean, near the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, triggering tsunami warnings across several regions, including Hawaii. As residents scrambled to evacuate, rumours circulated on social media that Oprah Winfrey's private road in Maui might have been closed off.
These rumours, however, were swiftly debunked. The private road, locally known as "Oprah's road" (Kealakapu Road), is actually owned by Haleakala Ranch, not Winfrey, and was accessible to people evacuating the tsunami zones. In fact, the road was opened to evacuees as soon as Winfrey's staff learned about the emergency, and local authorities confirmed access was available.
A spokesperson for Winfrey confirmed that they contacted local law enforcement and FEMA immediately after the tsunami warnings were issued to ensure the road was open and would remain open as long as necessary. The Maui Police Department also confirmed the road was open and being used as an evacuation route.
The road, which spans from the coast of Kihei to high ground in Keokea, is significant for those trying to escape to higher ground. Without its use, those trying to evacuate would have to drive significantly further, potentially causing delays and adding to the chaos of the situation.
Despite these reassurances, social media was abuzz with reports of traffic jams and users being denied entry to the private road. Some users even expressed frustration, with one stating, "We're stuck and a tsunami is coming, I have an hour and a half until it hits." However, local law enforcement were on site helping residents through traffic, allowing around 50 cars at a time to pass for safety reasons.
As the situation unfolds, it's important to separate fact from fiction. The private road through Oprah Winfrey's estate remains open as long as necessary, and it was never blocked off during the evacuation period. Let's continue to support each other in these challenging times and spread accurate information to help keep our communities safe.
[1] Maui Now. (2025). Oprah Winfrey's Road Opened for Evacuation During Tsunami Warning. [online] Available at: https://mauinow.com/2025/07/29/oprah-winfrey-road-opened-for-evacuation-during-tsunami-warning/
[2] Hawaii News Now. (2025). Oprah Winfrey's Road Not Blocked During Tsunami Warning, Contrary to Social Media Reports. [online] Available at: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/07/29/oprah-winfrey-road-not-blocked-during-tsunami-warning-contrary-social-media-reports/
[3] Honolulu Star-Advertiser. (2025). Oprah Winfrey's Road Remains Open During Tsunami Warning. [online] Available at: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/07/29/news/oprah-winfrey-s-road-remains-open-during-tsunami-warning/
[4] CNN. (2025). Fact Check: Oprah Winfrey's Road Not Blocked During Tsunami Warning. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/29/us/oprah-winfrey-road-tsunami-warning-fact-check/index.html
[5] Pacific Standard. (2025). Oprah Winfrey's Road: Fact Checking the Tsunami Evacuation Rumours. [online] Available at: https://psmag.com/news/oprah-winfrey-road-fact-checking-the-tsunami-evacuation-rumours
- In the midst of the ongoing debate about climate-change and its impact on weather patterns, the investigation into the Oprah Winfrey's Maui estate traffic claims offers a chance for environmental-science researchers to study the correlation between crises like tsunamis and the spread of misinformation.
- Although the political landscape in Hawaii remained unchanged following the tsunami events, the incident highlighted the importance of clear communication during emergencies, with the general-news media and weather-forecasting agencies playing a critical role in disseminating accurate information to the public.
- As scientists scramble to study the aftermath of the recent Tsunami Warning, predictions indicate that the weather patterns in the near future might still be chaotic, emphasizing the necessity for continuous collaboration between different fields of science, as well as open-access information sharing, to help people and communities better prepare for such events.
