Part-Time Maui Resident Oprah Pitches In on Hawaii Wildfire Relief Efforts (2024)

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Part-Time Maui Resident Oprah Pitches In on Hawaii Wildfire Relief Efforts? ›

Oprah, rightfully, called the disaster “overwhelming,” arriving at Maui's War Memorial Stadium on Thursday to help hand out supplies at the relief station. She came to the relief site twice that day, first to see what was going on and make her strategy, then to distribute supplies.

Oprah Winfrey has been a part-time resident of the Hawaiian island of Maui since 2004 when she purchased around 100 acres in its upcountry region. Since then, she's amassed approximately 1,000 acres of land across the island, local news outlet KITV4 reported, and appears to have developed a strong connection to Maui.

Maui wildfires destroy iconic restaurant owned by Mick Fleetwood and threatened Jeff Bezos, and Oprah Winfrey's properties but are reportedly safe.

And not just any road, either: Oprah's road is concrete and asphalt 12 feet across. Goodfellow Brothers paved it in December 2010. The road stretches from the water tank at Kealakapu Road near Piilani Highway in Kihei to Keokoa, near Haleakala Highway.

In addition, the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Maui Fund pledged $100 million, GoFundMe raised $60 million, the People's Fund of Maui (Oprah and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) raised $60 million, and Maui United Way raised about $25 million.

Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul and philanthropist, has had a long-standing love affair with Hawaii. In 2002, she purchased a sprawling 163-acre estate on Maui's Hana coast. Since 2004, she has amassed approximately 1,000 acres across Maui.

Oprah Winfrey, a part-time resident of Maui for 15 years, owns a home on the island and even has a private road. Oprah Winfrey, a part-time resident of Maui for 15 years, owns a home on the island and even has a private road.

Today, the Hali'imaile General Store is renowned for its beautifully plated fresh meals made with locally sourced ingredients. It's rumored to be a favorite of Oprah Winfrey's as well!

Who owns Maui? After the State of Hawaii, who owns over 154,000 acres on Maui, Alexander & Baldwin is the second-largest landowner at over 65,000 acres, and the U.S. Government is the third-largest landowner at over 33,000 acres.

Does Jeff Bezos have property in Maui? ›

In 2021, Bezos and his now-fiancée Lauren Sanchez bought a home in Hawaii. Bezos paid about $78 million for the Maui home, according to The New York Times.

The seclusion and natural beauty of Maui have long attracted celebrities, including Steven Tyler, Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson and Jim Carrey. It has also drawn a suite of tech executives, who have purchased some of the most expensive properties on the island.

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison owns nearly all of the nearby island of Lanai that's part of Maui County. Bezos and Ellison alone make up two of the four richest people on Earth. And those are just some of the big names on Maui.

What are the wealthiest areas in Maui? Overall, Maui is expensive everywhere. However, there are some areas that are luxurious and quite expensive. Maui, Hawaii has several affluent neighborhoods, but one of the wealthiest is the Wailea neighborhood in South Maui.

Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson pledged $10M for Maui wildfire survivors. They gave much more. Lana Vierra misses the swing set at her Lahaina home, which was reduced to ashes in the wildfires that swept through her community last summer. “Multiple generations went through there playing in my front yard,” she said.

Who owns Maui? After the State of Hawaii, who owns over 154,000 acres on Maui, Alexander & Baldwin is the second-largest landowner at over 65,000 acres, and the U.S. Government is the third-largest landowner at over 33,000 acres.

If you've ever visited Maui, you know that the island has a magical feel to it. Maybe that's why nearly 5,000 people a year get married on Maui—and why its population has more than tripled since 1970.