Oprah Winfrey, the media mogul, recently encountered a situation when she tried to visit a shelter for survivors of the wildfires in Hawaii. Reports suggested that she was turned away, but Maui officials have clarified the situation. In a statement shared on Facebook by the County of Maui, they expressed their gratitude to Oprah for respecting their policy and instructing media journalists and camera crews to remain outside the shelter. They welcomed her to continue uplifting the community’s spirit and extend her aloha to the victims of the tragic disaster.
The statement further emphasized that Oprah’s visit inside the shelter was truly heartwarming and they appreciated her understanding of their policy of not allowing camera crews or reporters to accompany dignitaries and celebrities in their emergency shelters. They thanked her for her cooperation and support.
It was previously reported that Oprah arrived at the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku with a CBS News crew but was denied entry. However, after she instructed the cameras to wait outside, she was able to spend time with the survivors. The statement reiterated that their policy of not granting media access to emergency shelters was out of respect for those seeking safety and shelter.
Oprah, who is a part-time resident of Maui, had visited the shelter days before to personally connect with the survivors and understand their needs. Her efforts to support the community during this difficult time are truly commendable.
