As Maui braces for one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent memory, public outrage has erupted following reports that Oprah Winfrey has allegedly refused to open a private road running from her vast Wailea estate to the upper region of Kula — a route that emergency responders say could have saved dozens, if not hundreds, of lives.
According to early reports from local officials and firsthand witnesses, the tsunami warning issued early this morning caused mass panic along Maui’s southern coastline. With public roads quickly congested, damaged, or blocked by landslides, families living near the coast found themselves trapped with few viable evacuation routes. In the midst of that chaos, all eyes turned toward one potential lifeline: a private, gated road that runs directly through Oprah’s multimillion-dollar property, connecting the endangered lowlands of Wailea to the elevated safety of Kula.
But as desperate families begged for access, the gates remained locked.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Malia Keawe, a mother of three who was turned around by private security. “We were told it was private property and not open to the public, even during a state of emergency. I looked that guard in the eye and said, ‘My babies are in this car.’ He said, ‘I’m sorry ma’am, we have orders.’ And that was it.”
Multiple witnesses at the scene allege that attempts to contact Oprah’s team were made both by civilians and emergency officials, urging her to temporarily open the road for humanitarian purposes. But sources close to the situation claim the response was chillingly cold. In a now widely circulated audio clip — authenticity still under review — a woman believed to be Oprah is heard saying, “It’s not my responsibility to do that. I just… I can’t be liable if something goes wrong.” The quote, whether real or distorted, has already ignited a firestorm of backlash online.
Within minutes, social media was ablaze with fury. The hashtag #OpenTheRoadOprah trended nationally as images and videos surfaced of families turning back from steel gates, some on foot, others in vehicles packed with children and elderly relatives. The criticism has come from all sides — fans, locals, even celebrities who once stood by Oprah as a symbol of compassion and moral leadership.
Local radio host Kimo Paleka voiced what many are now feeling. “We’ve always respected Oprah here. But when push comes to shove, we see where her loyalty lies — and it’s not with the people of Maui. That road is not just hers. In a moment like this, it could’ve been a road to survival. Instead, it’s a monument to indifference.”
Defenders of Oprah have come forward in small numbers, arguing that the security and liability concerns around opening a private road during an evacuation are valid. “It’s not like you just lift a gate and let chaos pour in,” said one anonymous source. “What if someone gets injured on her land? What if people sue her later? This is America — even good intentions get weaponized.”
Still, the larger narrative dominating headlines is one of disbelief and betrayal. For years, Oprah Winfrey has carefully cultivated an image of benevolence, spiritual generosity, and public service. Her home in Maui, often spotlighted for its sustainability and connection to the land, now feels like a fortress turned inward.
In contrast, neighbors along that same road have reportedly allowed strangers to cut through their smaller properties to reach safety, clearing paths with chainsaws and waving people through. A stark juxtaposition that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Some are now calling for legal action. State representative Kaleo Mahoe has announced he is “looking into whether property owners can be held accountable during declared emergencies if their land becomes a critical route for evacuation.” Though it may be too late for those who were already displaced or endangered, the political fallout is only beginning.
As of this writing, the tsunami’s waves have already made landfall in parts of the southern coast, and damages are still being assessed. It’s unclear how many lives were lost or put at greater risk because of the inaccessible road, but what is clear is the emotional toll. In times of crisis, people look to figures like Oprah for leadership, for empathy, for action. Instead, many feel they were met with silence, steel gates, and the words: “It’s not my responsibility.”
What began as a natural disaster is now becoming a moral reckoning, with questions echoing far beyond the shores of Hawaii: What does it mean to have power if you won’t use it when it matters most?
The people of Maui deserve answers. And so far, they’ve only received locked gates and a deafening silence.
