Tsunami Hits Hawaii After Major Earthquake, Oprah Faces Backlash Over Road Access
Tsunami waves reached Hawaii after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Residents were urged to seek higher ground, and evacuation led to traffic chaos.
Amid the panic, social media erupted with claims that Oprah Winfrey refused to open a private road on her Maui estate, blocking a potential evacuation route. A viral video showed a line of cars outside her gated road, sparking public outrage. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) accused Oprah of preventing access to higher ground.
However, Oprah’s team denied the claims. A spokesperson said the road—technically public but passing through her property—was opened promptly in coordination with local authorities. Maui police confirmed the road was open and being used to help evacuate residents.
Tsunami waves were also reported in California, Russia, and Japan. Although buildings were damaged—like a collapsed kindergarten in Russia—no casualties have been reported. Evacuation alerts were issued across the Pacific, affecting millions in countries including the U.S., Japan, Chile, and the Philippines.