“BREAKING: Oprah HAS NOT opened her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would allow coastal folks to reach higher ground quickly, locals tell me,” Sortor wrote in the caption. “Open The Road, @OPRAH! Roads on Maui are Gridlocked as people try to escape the incoming Tsunami.” It was unclear whether Sortor posted before the road had been opened.
Later, on a July 30 X post, Sortor acknowledged that the road had been opened, although he said that happened “following intense public pressure,” which evidence does not support.
The claim about Winfrey’s supposed refusal to open the road also spread on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.
Winfrey’s spokesperson told PolitiFact on July 30 that the claims are inaccurate.
The spokesperson said when Winfrey’s team learned of the tsunami warnings, they contacted local law enforcement and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the road was opened. The spokesperson said reports claiming otherwise are false.
The Maui Police Department also reported in a July 29 alert that “Oprah’s road is open to get (to) Upcountry.”
Winfrey has lived on Maui part-time for over 15 years and was the subject of misinformation during 2023 wildfires on the island. She purchased about 870 acres of agricultural land in the island’s Kula region for $6.6 million in December 2022 and February 2023, according to Maui Now. She also owns land in Maui’s Haleakalā Ranch and Hāna.
She has opened her private road during other emergencies.
In 2019, former Hawaii Gov. David Igo thanked Winfrey on X for opening her private road to Maui County officials during fires.
The tsunami’s first waves hit Russia and Japan, then reached Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.
The Hawaii tsunami warnings were eventually downgraded to an advisory. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Administrator James Barros advised those who had evacuated that they could return home.
We rate claims that Winfrey refused to open her private road during the tsunami warning evacuation Pants on Fire!