As a powerful storm swept across Hawaii, bringing flash floods, landslides, and power outages, thousands of residents found themselves scrambling for safety and access to higher ground. But amidst the chaos, a new controversy has erupted — and at the center of it is none other than media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
Multiple local residents have come forward, alleging that Oprah refused to allow emergency responders and evacuees to pass through her private estate on Maui, which includes several acres of elevated land and private roads that could have served as safe evacuation routes.
“We were told to turn around,” said one resident who tried to escape the flood zone near Kula. “The gates were locked. They said it was ‘private property.’ Meanwhile, our homes were underwater.”
According to several eyewitnesses and a viral local news report, security at Oprah’s estate allegedly turned away families in need, citing “strict property lines” even as helicopters hovered overhead and flash flood warnings blared through the air.
The backlash has been swift and fierce. Hashtags like #OprahGate and #LetThemIn are now trending on social media, with thousands accusing Winfrey of prioritizing her estate’s privacy over human lives.
“She talks about compassion and healing on TV, but when we needed her, she locked the gate,” one local wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite the growing criticism, Oprah’s team has yet to issue an official statement. Meanwhile, community activists and local officials are demanding accountability, with some even calling for a formal investigation into whether the media mogul obstructed emergency efforts during a natural disaster.
This incident is not the first time Oprah’s presence in Hawaii has drawn scrutiny. In recent years, residents have criticized the growing presence of wealthy celebrities on the island, accusing them of driving up property prices, using excessive resources, and disrupting local communities.
As Maui continues to recover from the devastation, the question remains: When the island cried out for help, did one of its richest residents turn her back?