Maalaea and Kihei residents, who frantically tweeted the media mogul for access code, have been forced to evacuate their homes after a brush fire broke out on the Hawaii island.
- July 13, 2019
AceShowbiz - Oprah Winfrey has been hailed a hero after opening a private road on her property in Hawaii to allow locals to escape a brush fire.
The blaze began on Maui on Thursday (July 11) and frantic Maalaea and Kihei residents tweeted Oprah, asking for the code to an access gate, installed to keep them and fans out.
"@Oprah there's a huge brush fire on Maui right now! People are trying to evacuate Kihei - my husband and son included!" one local tweeted. "If you would kindly share the code to your gate/road, folks can evacuate through Kula."
The road through Oprah's estate offered those trying to escape the fire a quick route to higher, safer ground.
Winfrey was quick to respond, writing: "Access to the road was given to county officials immediately. This was many hours ago. Hoping for the safety of all."
Locals were quick to applaud the media queen, with one Twitter user writing: "Mahalo (thanks) for opening the road... All of Maui appreciates it."
The fire has forced thousands to evacuate their homes.
