Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Nicks And Paris Hilton Face Severe Criticism For Their Responses To Maui Devastation

The recent wildfires that devastated the Lahaina area of Maui, Hawaii, brought with it criticism directed towards several celebrities— including Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Nicks and Paris Hilton among others— and their responses to the historic tragedy.

Winfrey, owner of over 1000 acres of land on Maui according to Hawaii News Now, was recently seen giving out supplies to survivors who had taken refuge in a gymnasium. The talk show host was reportedly denied entry initially after she asked to bring her television crew with her.

The television producer addressed the situation in an Instagram post, stating her intent to make a generous donation to assist in the island’s recovery. However, online commenters were not convinced, criticizing her response and the fact that she owned land on the island.

Similar criticisms were levelled towards Nicks, after she shared an Instagram post regarding the wildfires and her time spent on the island over the years. Commenters expressed their disappointment with her, with one remarking that “Native Hawaiians have been asking non-Indigenous people to stop relocating and vacationing there.”

Hilton, meanwhile, faced backlash after being photographed on a Maui beach over the weekend, smiling with her husband Carter Reum with their 8-month-old son. This took place just half an hour away from Lahaina, where 106 fatalities have been reported and 1,300 people remain missing.

Oprah, Stevie Nicks and Paris Hilton Receive Backlash For Their Reactions (Or Inactions) To Maui Catastrophe

In the past few days, regarding Oprah Winfrey, 69, authorities in Maui have provided clarity on what really happened. “To clarify, Oprah was able to visit our shelter and we thank her for instructing media journalists and camera crews to remain outside. We welcome Oprah to continue to uplift our community’s spirit and give her aloha to victims of the tragic disaster,” their recent statement read.

“Her visit inside of the shelter today was truly heartwarming and we appreciate her understanding of our policy of having no camera crews or reporters accompanying dignitaries and celebrities in our emergency shelters.” In a recent Instagram post, Winfrey vowed to make a substantial donation towards helping the island repair the destruction it suffered. People online were fast to rebuke Winfrey for her reaction, and the fact that she holds property on the isle.

“@Oprah you should give back the 870 acres you purchased on Maui in March of this year for $6.6M to the native Hawaiians,” one person commented under her IG video as another wrote: “Oprah you have 1000 acres! Lahaina is 1600 acres. You could give up only half your acreage and provide housing for probably all of the displaced residence. … There’s a simple solution. The land you bought was illegally sold bc it is illegally occupied! This is the right thing to restore justice.”

Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks also found herself in hot water after sharing a statement on Instagram in connection with the raging wildfires.

"As I am sure you have heard — the island, Maui, where I own a house I have been staying at since the 80s — and the small village, city, most magical place on earth, Lahaina, burned to the ground over the last few days," the "Stand Back" hitmaker, 75, wrote.

"And to make the situation worse my young niece, her husband, and their little boy had just arrived for a very needed vacation before she started up her school year (on her way to becoming a psychologist) for 10 days. They had one and a half days of fun and then — the fire started," she continued.  

The "Edge of Seventeen" songwriter went on to explain that she was taken by the strong sense of camaraderie she encountered in Lahaina, making it her destination of choice when visiting Maui.

"My truth was that I wanted a house here just so I could spend time in Lahaina walking the streets; visiting the art galleries — sitting on the rock wall," Nicks continued. "Most all the opals I wear on my fingers came from a store on Front Street. I hope the sweet lady who owned that store was able to grab all her opals and run. I hope she made it out."

In response to Nicks' message, one commenter wrote: "Oh Stevie, love you but Native Hawaiians lost their homes for generations to come, your niece, at best, vacation was ruined, this is not what you should’ve posted."

Someone else replied: "Lmaooo is this FOR REAL? You’re admitting to colonizing an island and sad your rich family’s vacation got ruined?"

While Winfrey and Nicks received criticism for their words and actions after the Maui tragedy, Paris Hilton faced backlash for her inactivity.

Over the weekend, the reality star, 42, was seen happily on a beach with her family, including her 8-month-old son and husband Carter Reum, a mere 30 miles away from Lahaina, where 106 deaths have been reported and 1,300 are missing.

Soon after recent photos of Hilton and her family emerged, one X user (formerly Twitter), wrote: "A perfect example of the juxtaposition between the wildfire devastated part of Hawaii and the tourist part of Hawaii; the locals and the tourists…"

Another added: "Paris hilton is vacationing in Maui at a resort 30 min from Lahaina. Imagine watching thousands of ppl lose their homes, loved ones, families etc and then expecting them to SERVE YOU DRINKS WHILE U FROLIC ON THE BEACH INFRONT OF THEM OMG."

Exceeding the 85 deaths in the 2018 Camp fire in Northern California's town of Paradise, the recent Maui fires have become the deadliest blaze in the United States over the last century.

It was on the 8th of August that the fire initially broke out in Lahaina and was thought to be “100% contained.” Yet, the following afternoon it blazed up again.

Evidently, a few days earlier on August 4th, the National Weather Service had been issuing alerts of the elevated fire danger due to the dry weather and powerful winds.

Jason Momoa Stresses Importance Of Tourists Avoiding Maui Re: Non-Essential Travel

On August 9th, the Hawaii Tourism Authority urgently asked tourists to leave the island. "Visitors who are on non-essential travel are being asked to leave Maui, and non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged at this time," the agency stressed in a  statement.

"In the days and weeks ahead, our collective resources and attention must be focused on the recovery of residents and communities that were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses."

Aquaman star and Hawaii native Jason Momoa concurred, and wrote in a message for his Instagram followers: "Maui is not the place to have your vacation right now. DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI."

The Game of Thrones alum added: "Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply." Momoa also encouraged travelers to cancel any planned trips to Maui, and to donate to survivors.