Overview

• Officials downgraded Hawaii’s tsunami warning to an advisory on Wednesday and lifted evacuation orders for coastal zones
• Viral posts claimed Oprah Winfrey refused to open her private road from Wailea to Kula during mass evacuations sparked by an 8.8-magnitude Russian quake
• Winfrey’s spokesperson said the estate team immediately coordinated with local law enforcement and FEMA to open the easement on Kealakapu Road once tsunami alerts were issued
• The Maui Police Department and Maui Emergency Management Agency issued repeated advisories stating that Oprah’s road was open for Upcountry access
• Fact-checking outlets confirmed the route is owned by Haleakala Ranch under an easement with Winfrey and was accessible to evacuees as in previous emergencies