Overview

• An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami warnings across Hawaii and other Pacific regions.
• Videos circulating on social media showed severe traffic gridlock on Maui as residents rushed to higher ground.
• Viral posts falsely accused Oprah Winfrey of keeping her private Wailea-to-Kula road closed to evacuees.
• Winfrey’s spokesperson and the Maui Police Department confirmed that the private route was opened immediately and remains accessible under law enforcement oversight.
• The incident highlights how rapidly misinformation can spread during emergencies and underscores the importance of timely official clarification.