Oprah Winfrey Criticized for Not Opening Private Road Amid Hawaii Tsunami Evacuation Chaos

Renowned American talk show host Oprah Winfrey is facing intense backlash on social media amid reports that she has not opened her private road in Maui, Hawaii, even as thousands try to evacuate due to a tsunami warning.

Videos circulating online show long queues of vehicles stuck in traffic across Hawaii, particularly in the Maui region. Residents are seen desperately attempting to move to higher ground as the tsunami threat looms following seismic activity in the Pacific.

Several users have accused Oprah of refusing to allow access to a private road she owns between Wailea and Kula — a route that, according to locals, could significantly ease evacuation efforts in the area.

URGENT: People in Maui, Hawaii are trying to escape the tsunami and are BEGGING Oprah to open the private road on her property.
She’s reportedly still refusing.
In a crisis, blocking an escape route is inhumane.#Tsunami #Maui #Oprah #LetThemOut pic.twitter.com/JeqeVwDcyS

— Baatein Stock Ki (@BaateinStockKi) July 30, 2025

One user posted: “Oprah won’t open her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would make it much easier for locals to get to higher ground. Massive Traffic in Maui with thousands trying to escape the massive Tsunami coming. Open the road Oprah.”

BREAKING Oprah won’t open her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would make it much easier for locals to get to higher ground

MASSIVE Traffic in Maui with thousands trying to escape the massive Tsunami coming

OPEN THE ROAD OPRAH

pic.twitter.com/DdF2vtQi2g

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) July 30, 2025

Another comment read: “Why ON EARTH would you choose to not open your own private road that would allow people to get to higher ground safely Be a hero (or just a decent human) and open the road Oprah Winfrey. Do the right thing.”

Why ON EARTH would you choose to not open your own private road that would allow people to get to higher ground safely?

Be a hero (or just a decent human) and open the road @Oprah

Do the right thing.

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) July 30, 2025

Many expressed shock that, despite the gravity of the situation, the road remained inaccessible. A user wrote: “Wait, so people are trapped with their kids in gridlock and Oprah’s private road is just… chilling? Hopefully it’s open soon or these people find another way to get to higher ground. Scary.”

Wait, so people are trapped with their kids in gridlock and Oprah’s private road is just… chilling? Hopefully it’s open soon or these people find another way to get to higher ground. Scary

— The Undercurrent (@NotTheirScript) July 30, 2025

As of now, there has been no official statement from Oprah Winfrey or her representatives regarding the situation or the status of the private road.

What’s Happening in Hawaii?

A tsunami warning has been issued for the US state of Hawaii after magnitude-8.8 earthquake off the coast of the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's far east. The tsunami alert has triggered panic in parts of Hawaii, especially Maui, with people rushing to evacuate coastal areas. The state authorities have urged residents to move to higher ground immediately and avoid unnecessary travel.