Oprah Criticized for Maui Road Closure During Hawaii Tsunami Alert

On July 30, a powerful earthquake hit off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia. It was a huge one — measured 8.8 in magnitude. Because of its strength, countries around the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii, were put on high alert for a possible tsunami.

In Hawaii, officials quickly sent out warnings. They explained that dangerous “wraparound waves” could hit — these are waves that don’t just come straight from the ocean but can bend around the island and strike from different directions. That makes them harder to predict and even more dangerous.

People living near the coast were asked to leave immediately. They were told to go at least 1,200 feet (about 400 meters) inland to stay safe.

Why locals believe Oprah’s road could help

Some residents of Maui said Oprah owned a private road from Wailea up to Kula. She opened this route to let people escape the 2023 Maui wildfires. Now, with the tsunami threat, residents think she could help with another mass evacuation. Instead, social media is blowing up with pleas like, "Open the road Oprah!" and Mile-long delays on the streets in Maui have some stuck in traffic worrying that the delays could cost lives. 

What happened with Oprah's road this time

There is no official word that Oprah opened the road during this event. A few posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram went viral claiming she "has not opened" it, and evacuation traffic is at a standstill. Maui County officials have not endorsed the route as an official evacuation route, and Oprah's team is silent.

Voices from social media

One trending X post reads:

“BREAKING: Oprah HAS NOT opened her private road from Wailea to Kula… Roads on Maui are GRIDLOCKED.”

Oprah Winfrey has refused to open her private road from Wailea to Kula, a route that could help coastal families reach safety as a tsunami approaches Maui.

Sirens are blaring while roads are clogged with vehicles, parents and children trapped in traffic trying to escape the… pic.twitter.com/OEl7kZwrUi

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) July 30, 2025

Another Instagram post shows local frustration over helplessness while sirens wail and traffic stands still. People express concern for children and elderly people who cannot move fast. These posts suggest anger is mounting.

 

 

 

 

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Why this matters beyond the celebrity angle

High-profile personalities like Oprah are regarded as local leaders in Maui, so expectations heighten in times of crises.

Inadequate direction or communication from a public or private entity can create panic.

Evacuation delays when under an imminent deadly tsunami threat can set up a very dangerous situation.

The government messaging had to do with evacuation routes along public roads, shelters, etc., and did not point to the private road, so the public was going to social media to find information about evacuation options.

What emergency officials advised in Hawaii

Officials mobilized: On Maui, shelters were opened; water shut-offs would occur to prevent contamination; coastal hotel tourists were advised to relocate above the fourth floor or evacuate the coast. Governor Josh Green said, “People need to take this very seriously.” Authorities requested that people stay away from the shoreline anticipating the arrival of waves around 7:10 PM local time.

Local officials stressed tsunamis kill quickly. “Get to high ground, don’t wait.”

Flashback: Oprah's community response during the Mauii wildfires

In 2019, and then again in 2023, during the commencement of the Maui wildfires, Oprah opened her private access road. This offer received strident support from the local community and provided hundreds of residents a chance to escape the flames.​ This history provides further fuel to the call for action on her part, even though this official evacuation plan does not incorporate this road.

Oprah Winfrey opened her private road in Hawaii to aid in Maui fire evacuations. pic.twitter.com/5qRHy9X8LB

— azcentral (@azcentral) July 12, 2019

What questions remain unanswered?

Is there a safe road to get there during heavy traffic? 

Has Oprah or her team heard (officially) about emergency requests or clearance? 

Will she or the local government make a statement? 

Could liability or legal issues have blocked access even if she wanted to? 

What does this tell us about crisis communication?

In some emergencies, it might matter more to be clear, quick and transparent than to take action. It’s one thing to expect help and have it delayed, and another to be left wondering. When there is silence, the anger rises. Silence amidst major life stress is profound. Public trust is built not only on what occurred—but what was said.

Key points at a glance

• An 8.8 earthquake produced tsunami warnings for the entire Pacific, including Hawaii.
• Residents of Maui are currently stuck in traffic in the middle of evacuating.
• Locally, on social media, residents point out that Oprah has not opened her private road to assist others.
• There is no official, and now legal record, to confirm those requests for access.
• Officials are telling residents to use public routes and shelter, but this has not stopped any online pressure to change that message.
• Prior to today, there was precedent to believe that when need arose, Oprah would help.

Public posts adding weight

From Facebook:
“BREAKING: Oprah HAS NOT opened her private road… Maui is gridlocked as tsunami approaches.”