• Oprah Winfrey denies rumors of blocking a road during Hawaii tsunami warnings.
• A magnitude 8.8 earthquake prompted evacuation orders for coastal residents.
• Local authorities confirmed the road to Winfrey's estate remained open for evacuees.

Oprah Winfrey has addressed social media claims alleging she blocked a private road on her Maui estate during recent tsunami warnings. A spokesperson stated, "As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened. Any reports otherwise are false," according to Newsweek.

Winfrey’s estate experienced a wave of accusations across social media, suggesting she prevented evacuees from accessing a crucial escape route. Local law enforcement confirmed the road remained accessible to assist residents during the crisis. "Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry," stated Maui police, corroborating Winfrey's claims, according to South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

The road was supervised by local authorities, who facilitated access for up to 50 vehicles at a time to ensure safety during the evacuation. Winfrey's representative emphasized that they complied with emergency procedures right as the warnings were issued, highlighting the measures taken to assist local residents, according to HuffPost and South China Morning Post.

Following these developments, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reduced the tsunami warning to an advisory. Despite the recent chaos, local officials reported no significant damage in the region, allowing residents to safely return home, according to Channel News Asia and HuffPost.