Sunday, April 28, 2024

Oprah Winfrey starts Maui-fires recovery fund after backlash Los Angeles Times

oprah maui house

Whether you’ve rented a vehicle and plan to check it out alone, or you decide to take a Tourist Bus, it’s easiest to start from the airport. Oprah Winfrey is often referred to as the “Queen of Maui,” which is a suitable title given that she is the island’s largest landowner. Other famous Maui residents reportedly include actors Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson, and Woody Harrelson. Tyler, 75, is said to have a waterfront mansion on a nature preserve in Wailea that he bought for $4.8 million in 2012. Wailea is partly close to the South Maui fire, but some resorts in the southwest Maui hotspot – including the Four Seasons Wailea, where “The White Lotus” was filmed – are still open for business. The restaurant was located in Lahaina, a historic town with a population of about 12,000 that has borne the brunt of the fire damage.

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While the exact location of Oprah’s Hawaiian estate remains a mystery, this journey has unveiled the beauty and allure of Maui. The island itself offers a wealth of experiences, and Oprah’s presence, even from a distance, adds a touch of magic. Oprah Winfrey’s presence in Maui extends far beyond the boundaries of her luxurious estate.

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About 13,000 residents in Maui were without power, according to reports. One decision that may have unknowingly helped it survive the wildfire — the deadliest in the US in more than a century — was replacing the asphalt roof with one made out of heavy-gauge metal, she told the LA paper. Stunning aerial images of the unscathed property went viral last week — while also sparking bonkers conspiracies that the local devastation was a targeted laser attack from space. "I wish we had more people like her that consider when they purchase lands [...] how we've just been inundated with a whole lot of development and tourism,” Hawaiian senator Lynn DeCoite said in the report. The foundation wouldn’t say exactly how much Winfrey and Johnson gave in total, but a list of other contributors indicates the bulk came from them.

Inside Oprah Winfrey's 1,000-acre Maui property portfolio that's under threat from wildfires - HELLO!

Inside Oprah Winfrey's 1,000-acre Maui property portfolio that's under threat from wildfires.

Posted: Sat, 12 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Celebrities mentioned...

Another fire was now entirely contained, while another was 60 percent contained due to hot spots in hard-to-reach areas. During a brush fire in 2019, Oprah reportedly opened her private road in Maui to allow affected residents in Maalaea and parts of Kihei to escape, according to CNN. Maui councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura said at the time of the purchases that Winfrey should be praised for keeping most of her Maui land holdings undeveloped and hiring residents to work on them, according to multiple sources. Sugimura did make note of wild species on the property that needed to be addressed.

Actor Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Brosnan — who have a home in Kauai — also brought awareness to the wildfires. Keely shared a video of a beach sunset Thursday and encouraged followers to take action. “We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana on Maui who [have] been impacted by the recent wildfires,” Momoa, who is a native of Hawaii, wrote. She also bought more than 200 acres of coastal land in Hana between 2002 and 2005. In May, 2018, Velvet Ropes broke the story that Oprah had purchased a sprawling waterfront estate on Washington State’s Orcas Island for $8.28 million. Named The Madroneagle Estate, this super secluded compound has 4-bedrooms, 3-full bathrooms, 2-half bathrooms, and boasts 7,303 square feet of luxurious living space.

Maui fires far from celebrity homes singled out in viral posts - VERIFYThis.com

Maui fires far from celebrity homes singled out in viral posts.

Posted: Tue, 22 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

After Maui was engulfed in a wildfire in 2020, Oprah’s Maui property came in handy for the locals. Winfrey granted citizens access to the private road after a Twitter follower requested access. Oprah paid $5.3 million buying two plots of land, totaling 23.7 acres of Maui in 2003, as well as a humble grey farmhouse, which she has now turned into a vacation home. He has reportedly lived on the island part-time since the late 1970s, soaking up the sun and stunning ocean views in Kapalua, a stretch along the northwest coast less than 10 miles from Lahaina. In 2011, Thiel, the founder of Pay Pal, paid $27 million for a home in Makena, on the southwest coast of Maui, which The Wall Street Journal reported was then the most expensive purchase of a single-family home in the county.

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For people who were affected by the disaster, the path functioned as an escape route. Jeff Wooley, an architect, worked with T.M.C. General Contracting Inc. and artisans to restore the ranch house to its original state. The construction was rebuilt from the ground up, with a large veranda and many French doors. Oprah’s Maui residence is a popular spot for tourists to see where the superstar spends some of her time.

Jeff Bezos promised $100 million after Maui’s wildfire. No one knows where it’s going

Lahaina — a beloved historic hamlet with a population of about 12,000 — has been “home” for Fleetwood for decades. A spokesperson for Winfrey told PolitiFact and other outlets the private firefighting claim isn’t true. The Watch OWN app is free and available to you as part of your OWN subscription through a participating TV provider.

Oprah’s influence has transcended mere tourism, inspiring a profound appreciation for the island’s cultural tapestry. Oprah’s ability to capture the essence of Maui’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality has inspired countless travelers to experience the island for themselves. Her endorsement has undoubtedly boosted tourism, with visitors flocking to Maui in hopes of experiencing the magic that Oprah so eloquently describes.

Beyond Maui’s natural splendor, the island is rich in cultural heritage and traditions that offer a unique glimpse into the Hawaiian way of life. One such gem is the town of Lahaina, a historic whaling village that has preserved its charm and authenticity. In 2016, she purchased a 23.5-acre parcel from the historic ranch, further expanding her domain and solidifying her status as one of the largest landowners in the area. Her real estate portfolio on the island is estimated to be worth a staggering $88 million, a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a secluded paradise in one of Hawaii’s most sought-after destinations.

Hawaii’s governor, David Ige, took to Twitter to express his gratitude to Winfrey for opening up the private road on her property. The fact-checking site Verify reported that Maui County Council records show Winfrey owns property on Thompson Road in Kula, several miles away from the fires. “You’re so concerned about what’s happening in Maui that you somehow managed to hire a private firefighting team to protect your land before the fire started,” a woman said in a Sept. 7 Instagram video. Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos are among those who have part-time homes on the island. By celebrating the natural wonders that Maui has to offer, we can find joy and fulfillment without compromising the boundaries that protect the personal sanctuaries of those we admire.

In recent years and months, the mogul’s properties in Montecito also faced a variety of natural disasters, including floods and fires. Ms. Winfrey owns roughly 1,000 acres of land on Maui, according to Architectural Digest. She has not commented on the status of any of her properties, which include the Thompson Ranch in central Maui, south of the fires there. She also reportedly owns hundreds of acres in the Kula area southeast of Lahaina, the devastated seaside town in West Maui. Maui, the paradise island in Hawaii, has been ravaged by fast-moving wildfires that have claimed the lives of 36 people, injured several, and destroyed hundreds of buildings, some of which are cultural and historic. This past February, she paid $6.6 million for 870 acres of land in Kula, an area in central Maui sandwiched between the South Maui and Upcountry wildfires.

oprah maui house

Maui Now reported that Winfrey purchased a 3-acre property that was adjacent to her other properties in Kula, adding to her almost 100 acres at the time. Johnson, who is of Polynesian descent, also posted on Instagram about the natural disaster as it struck the island earlier this month. The red-roofed house may also have benefited from not being too close to neighboring properties — often the main fuel for fires — instead being bordered on three sides by the ocean, a road, and an empty lot. The owner of a red-roofed house in Maui that went viral for remaining untouched by the historic wildfires has explained the small, unexpected details that she thinks helped it survive in a neighborhood otherwise reduced to ash. Others, such as Maui councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, praised Winfrey for hiring local residents and keeping the majority of her land undeveloped.

“This is a devastating moment for Maui, and many are suffering unimaginable loss,” he wrote. Other famous Maui residents reportedly include actors Jim Carrey, Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson. The entire island of Maui has long been a favorite destination for rock stars, Hollywood A-listers and titans of industry.

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