Oprah Winfrey Opens Private Maui Road to Help With Tsunami Evacuation
Maui residents near Haleakalā were able to access Oprah Winfrey’s private road during a tsunami evacuation on July 29 and the following day, after authorities cleared traffic through her property to assist with evacuation efforts.
Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Warnings
A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific—including Hawaii, Japan, and parts of the U.S. West Coast. Tsunami waves reached 4 to 5 feet along Hawaii’s shores—in Kahului, Oahu, and Hilo—and caused minor flooding, particularly at harbors and coastal lagoons.
Oprah’s Road Helps Evacuations
Winfrey’s private road connects Wailea to Kula, which is situated at a higher elevation. Her spokesperson said that after tsunami alerts sounded, Winfrey’s team coordinated immediately with Maui Police and FEMA to ensure the road was opened to Upcountry residents, allowing 50 cars at a time to pass safely.
Maui County officials confirmed the road remained open and accessible, countering rumors that it had been blocked. The spokesperson labeled contrary claims as false, and officers at the scene reaffirmed that access had been available to residents.
Evacuation Status
Residents of Maui, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and parts of California were ordered to evacuate coastal areas on Monday evening following reports of the earthquake in Russia. Flights to Maui were delayed, and harbors temporarily suspended operations. By about 11 p.m. local time, Hawaii's tsunami warning had been downgraded to an advisory, and evacuees were told they could return home safely.
In California, regions including Crescent City and Arena Cove recorded wave surges of up to 8 feet. Luckily, structural damage was limited, while authorities continued warnings to stay clear of shorelines due to strong currents.
Past Disaster Response
Winfrey’s decision to open the road led many people online to recall her past involvement in natural emergencies. Back in 2019, she opened the same route to assist evacuation during devastating brush fires on Maui, despite public backlash about her ownership of the road. Governor David Ige publicly thanked her at that time—comments that resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny during the tsunami threat.
Public Reaction to Oprah’s Decision
Some critics raised concern over initial delays in opening the road, questioning whether earlier access could have helped residents evacuate more swiftly. However, officials maintain that road access was coordinated through county and federal agencies for safety purposes before traffic began flowing.
Key Facts
Alert: 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Kamchatka triggered tsunami warnings
Waves: Up to 5 feet in Hawaii; ~8 feet in parts of California
Oprah’s Role: Opened private Maui road to let Upcountry residents evacuate with the help of police coordination
Outcome: No major damage reported; warnings downgraded by late evening