Staff Reports
In the wake of a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, Hawaii found itself bracing for a tsunami threat that sent residents scrambling for safety. As evacuation orders rippled across the islands, social media quickly focused on Oprah Winfrey, whose Maui estate includes a private road offering access to higher ground. Rumors spread rapidly online that Winfrey had kept the road closed, supposedly putting islanders at risk while she remained safe behind her gates.
However, these claims fail the truth test. Despite internet outrage fueled by misunderstandings and the usual resentment toward wealthy landowners, Oprah’s representatives and local officials confirmed the road was opened as soon as the tsunami warnings were issued. Coordination with local law enforcement and FEMA ensured people could use the road to evacuate, with authorities even moving groups of 50 cars at a time to maximize safety. Maui County itself published updates clarifying that the road—often called “Oprah’s road” but owned by Haleakalā Ranch—was indeed accessible to the public for the duration of the emergency.
This episode is a stark reminder of how quickly misinformation can run riot, especially when it involves celebrities, wealth, and access to resources the average person lacks. Critics were quick to pile on, questioning why billionaires like Winfrey can own such vast stretches of land while locals often struggle with limited routes and red tape during emergencies. Yet, rather than hindering the evacuation, Winfrey’s team worked in tandem with local authorities to open the roadway and get people to safety promptly.
It’s worth noticing that this sort of backlash often exposes a deeper resentment against private property rights, especially when those properties are owned by the wealthy. The drama surrounding Oprah’s road wasn’t really about access—it was about the optics of privilege during crisis, and a media environment that would rather stoke class envy than report facts. In reality, when disaster struck, private resources managed responsibly served the community without delay, proving that property rights and quick coordination are not at odds with the public good.
The real lesson from Hawaii isn’t about a billionaire’s road, but about the importance of swift, coordinated action—even when it involves private property. Instead of fueling outrage based on half-truths used to divide us, Americans should be looking to strengthen the partnerships between private citizens, landowners, and government in times of crisis. That’s the real story the media too often ignores.
