As Hawaii faced a severe tsunami warning following an offshore earthquake, residents of Maui were scrambling to find a way to escape the coastal area to safety. But in the midst of that moment of uncertainty, something shocking and outrageous happened: Oprah Winfrey allegedly refused to open a private road from Wailea to Kula that could have helped hundreds of people quickly leave the danger zone. The road passes through private land owned by the billionaire celebrity – a short, less congested route strategically located between the lowlands and the highlands. However, Oprah reportedly refused requests from local officials and residents, citing safety and private property rights.
The road passes through private land owned by the billionaire – a short, less congested route strategically located between the lowlands and the highlands. However, Oprah reportedly refused requests from local officials and residents, citing safety and private property rights.
The online community was immediately in an uproar. A series of comments on Twitter, Facebook and Reddit condemned Oprah as “insensitive”, “selfish”, and “unworthy of the title of inspiration”. One user bluntly compared: “Just like Joel Osteen locking the doors of churches when Houstonians needed shelter during Hurricane Harvey.”
Reddit condemned Oprah as “insensitive,” “selfish,” and “not worthy of the title of inspirational person.” One user bluntly compared: “Just like Joel Osteen locking his church when Houstonians needed shelter during Hurricane Harvey.”
Joel Osteen – the famous pastor who owns the largest church in the US – was heavily criticized in 2017 for not opening his church to people during the terrible storm. And now, Oprah is being put in a similar position: a rich, powerful, but cold-hearted person who turned his back on the community at the most dangerous time.
“I can’t believe it,” shared a Kula resident, “we had to go dozens of kilometers, losing more than an hour because Oprah’s road was closed. When every minute could be life or death.”
Oprah’s representatives have yet to make an official response, but a source close to the media queen said that she was afraid that strangers would invade her property, causing chaos, insecurity, or damage to her personal property.
But this explanation did not calm the wave of anger. Netizens asked: In an emergency, is property or human life more important? Do individuals with privilege and power have a social responsibility?
This is not the first time Oprah has been criticized regarding her property in Hawaii. Previously, she was criticized for buying hundreds of hectares of land in Maui, which was accused of “taking land from local people” and driving up real estate prices. This incident only added to the public’s suspicion and disappointment with the “friendly, inspirational” image she has built over the decades.
As climate change worsens and natural disasters become commonplace, people are expecting more from influential individuals. This incident is a stark reminder that reputations can be destroyed by a cold decision, a gate left open, or a road blocked in the midst of panic.
Bottom line: Oprah may have thought she was protecting property, but the community saw an icon brought down by indifference to human life. And the question remains: When disaster strikes, who really stands up for the community?
