After the devastating Lahaina wildfires on August 8, several celebrities have been criticized for their response to the historic tragedy.
Recently, Oprah Winfrey was filmed helping distribute supplies to Maui residents who had taken shelter at a local gym.
Winfrey, who is believed to own more than 1,000 acres of land on Maui, was reportedly initially denied access to the temporary shelter during a visit because she wanted to bring a TV crew with her.
Maui officials shed light on what really happened.
“To be clear, Oprah was able to visit our shelter and we thank her for directing media journalists and camera crews to stay outside. We welcome Oprah to continue strengthening the spirit of our community and giving her aloha to the victims of the tragic disaster,” the statement said.
“Your visit to the shelter…was truly heartwarming and we appreciate your understanding of our policy of not having camera crews or reporters accompanying dignitaries and celebrities in our shelters.”
In an Instagram post earlier this week, Winfrey pledged to make “a large donation” to help the island recover from the damage it has suffered.
Online commentators were quick to slam Winfrey for her reaction and the fact that she owns land on the island.
“Oprah you should return the 870 acres you bought on Maui for $6.6 million in March this year to the native Hawaiian,” one person wrote under Winfrey’s Instagram video.
Another added: “Oprah you have 1000 acres! Lahaina is 1600 acres. You could only give up half your area and probably provide housing for all displaced persons. … There is a simple solution. The land you bought was sold illegally because it is illegally occupied! This is the right thing to do to restore justice.”
“Thank god for that!! We’re in crisis, Maui doesn’t need to support publicity stunts,” someone commented on Facebook of TV crews being turned away from the Maui shelter.
“If Oprah wants to come, that’s great! Put down the cameras and do something from the goodness of your heart. Not for influence,” another person chimed in on Facebook.
Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks also received criticism for her news about the wildfires, which she shared on Instagram.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard — the island of Maui, where I own a house I’ve lived in since the ’80s — and the little village, the town, the most magical place on earth, Lahaina, are up for the past few years, except for burned down the foundations a few days,” wrote Nicks.
“And to make matters worse, my young niece, her husband and young son had just arrived for a much needed holiday before starting her school year (en route to becoming a psychologist) for 10 days. They had a fun day and a half and then the fire broke out.”
The “Edge of Seventeen” singer went on to explain that what drew her to Maui the most was Lahaina’s warm community.
“My truth was that I wanted a house here just so I could spend time in Lahaina and walk the streets; visiting the art galleries – sitting on the cliff face,” continued Nicks’ message. “Most of the opals I wear on my fingers came from a shop on Front Street. I hope the nice lady who owned this shop was able to grab all her opals and escape. I hope she made it.”
One commenter, responding to Nicks’ statement, wrote on Instagram: “Oh Stevie I love you but native hawaiians have lost their homes for generations to come your niece at best the vacation was ruined that’s not what you do should have posted.”
“Lmaooo is that REAL? You admit to colonizing an island and are sad that your rich family’s vacation was ruined?” someone else wrote.
Another person in the comments section expressed their disappointment with Nicks, writing, “Stevie I love you, but Native Hawaiians have been asking people who aren’t native to Hawaii to stop moving and vacationing there.”
Paris Hilton was photographed smiling on the beach in Maui over the weekend with her husband Carter Reum and their eight-month-old son — just 30 miles from where 106 people were found dead and 1,300 others are still missing in Lahaina.
“A perfect example of the juxtaposition between the wildfire-ravaged part of Hawaii and the touristy part of Hawaii; the locals and the tourists…” someone wrote in an X-post.
Another X user wrote, “Paris Hilton is vacationing on Maui at a resort 30 minutes from Lahaina.” Imagine watching thousands of people lose their homes, loved ones, families, etc., and then expect them to serve you drinks while you frolic on the beach in front of them. OMG.”
The Maui fires are now the deadliest in the US in the last century, surpassing the 2018 camp fire that destroyed the northern California town of Paradise and killed 85 people.
The fire broke out in Lahaina on Aug. 8 and was initially “100% contained,” officials said at the time, but flared up by mid-afternoon. By then, the danger of wildfires had been known for days, and the National Weather Service issued a “high fire risk” warning on August 4 amid dry weather and “strong and gusty trade winds.”
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