Oprah Winfrey denies blocking Maui Road during tsunami evacuation
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Oprah Winfrey He opposes accusations that private roads on her Maui estate were closed as local residents tried to escape safely during the tsunami evacuation.
The billionaire spokesman has shut down the charges and said the claims are not true.
“As soon as you hear the tsunami warning, contact local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the roads are open. Otherwise, the report is incorrect,” a Winfrey spokesman shared in a statement with Fox News Digital.
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Oprah Winfrey faces charges of private road access during the evacuation of the Maui Tsunami as rumors spread online about road blockages. (Getty Images)
“Now, local law enforcement is on the ground supporting residents through 50 cars at a time to ensure the safety of everyone.
A tsunami warning was issued overnight, prompting urgent efforts to evacuate and reach high altitudes across parts of the Hawaiian Island.
The rumor quickly circulated online, suggesting that residents could not pass the private gate path of Winfrey’s property.
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A Winfrey spokesman told Fox News Digital: “As soon as I heard the tsunami warning, I contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to confirm that the roads had been opened. (Michael Tran/Film Magic)
video Shared on social media is that the man in his car, police allegedly protecting the area, is reportedly outside the property of the former TV host.
“Oprah, I’ll save us,” the man heard him say on the video.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem said after speaking Wednesday. Hawaii Governor Josh Green; “The evacuation order for the coastal flood zone has been lifted.
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“Be careful. Be careful when you come back and be careful of damage. We will continue to monitor in Hawaii, Alaska and California,” she added.
Her statement comes after a tsunami caused by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Russia reached Hawaii on Tuesday evening.
Her spokesman said the roadway road road on her Maui property “will remain open when necessary.” (AP/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time Winfrey has been expansive. Maui Properties It is subject to scrutiny.
Two 19-year-old men were arrested last June on a public road in Hawaii, running through Winfrey’s property and suspected of illegal hunting.
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This image shows the aftermath of the tsunami struck in the coastal area of Severoklykrsk in the Kuril Islands of Russia on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (Geophysics Services of the Academy of Sciences via the AP) (Geophysical Survey via Getty Images/Anadoru’s Kamchatka)
Hawaii’s Land and Natural Resources Bureau (DLNR) has identified the men as Luke Allen and Tai Munoz, both Upcountry Maui.
The public roads pass through private property owned by Oprah Winfrey Ranch. Winfrey reportedly owns about 1,000 acres on the island.
According to state agencies, the guardians stopped shortly before midnight on June 21, 2024 and just before midnight on June 21, 2024.
“Last month, DLNR contacted Upcountry ranchers about efforts to prevent illegal poaching throughout the region and agreed to cooperate. The arrests did not occur on property.” Associated Press.
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Elizabeth Pritchett and Stephen Sorace of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.