Almost two weeks after Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson unveiled a relief effort for people devastated by the Maui wildfires, Winfrey is addressing the wave of criticism that followed. The media mogul and the Hollywood star each put in $5 million to launch the People’s Fund of Maui, saying in a joint video that the money would go directly to residents affected by the destruction in historic Lahaina.
The announcement, however, quickly drew backlash online. Critics questioned why Winfrey, whose fortune has been reported at around $2.8 billion, and Johnson, who has been reported to be worth roughly $800 million, were also inviting the public to donate. Winfrey spoke about the reaction Tuesday on CBS Mornings, where she appeared with Arthur C. Brooks to discuss their book, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier. During the interview, she said the intensity of the response caught her off guard.
Connecting the controversy to themes from her new book, Winfrey said the experience gave her a sharper understanding of how damaging online attacks can be. She described being stunned by what she called lies, conspiracy theories and harsh personal criticism, saying the noise shifted attention away from the real priority: the people of Maui who had lost homes, loved ones and stability in the fires.
Winfrey explained that the idea for the fund grew out of conversations she had while on the ground in Maui. At first, she said, she was helping by delivering practical supplies such as generators, towels and other necessities. But after speaking with residents, she realized many wanted the ability to decide for themselves what they needed most. She said inspiration also came after Gayle King’s son sent her an article about Dolly Parton’s response to the 2017 fires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where Parton helped provide direct monthly payments to affected families.
Parton had raised money through a benefit concert and directed the proceeds to families who had suffered major losses, with many receiving $1,000 payments. Winfrey said that model immediately resonated with her because it focused on getting cash straight to survivors. She and Johnson believed that starting the Maui fund with $10 million between them could create a structure that others could support, with donations eventually deposited directly into eligible residents’ bank accounts. Winfrey said she felt hopeful about the plan, only to wake up the next morning to an unexpected flood of anger and criticism.
According to Winfrey, the fund was created partly because many people had been asking where they could safely donate to help Maui wildfire victims. She said she wanted to provide a trusted place for those contributions and still believes the direct-payment approach is a powerful one. As of her CBS Mornings appearance, she said 2,200 people had been cleared and verified to receive support from the People’s Fund of Maui, with payments set to be placed into their accounts. Still, she added that the hostility surrounding the effort left her saddened by the country’s current climate.
The Maui wildfires, widely referred to as part of the “Hawaii Firestorm,” broke out in early August, with the island of Maui suffering the most severe devastation. Officials have pointed to a dangerous mix of dry conditions, a high-pressure system to the north and the influence of Hurricane Dora to the south. Lahaina, a historic coastal town, was hit especially hard. As of Saturday, the disaster had left 115 people confirmed dead, with 66 others still missing.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimated that roughly 2,200 buildings were destroyed in Lahaina, including many homes and historically significant structures. The U.S. Department of Commerce has estimated the overall damage from the fires at more than $5.5 billion.
A Maui County update published on Sunday revealed the Lahaina fire is now 100% contained, with 2,170 acres burned. The update also revealed that the Olinda fire was 90% contained, spanning an estimated 1,081 acres.
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