Oprah Winfrey, who owns 1,000 acres of land on Maui, angered fans with her fundraiser after the wildfires. Here's a rundown of her history with Hawaii.

Gabbi ShawSep 16, 2023, 19:04 IST

Oprah Winfrey and one of her properties in Hawaii.Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey reportedly owns around 1,000 acres of land across Maui, Hawaii.
After the August wildfires, Winfrey visited shelters and started a fund to help locals.

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.

"Y'all should come here," Winfrey said on Instagram in January 2023. "Hashtag Hawaii, state of health. That's the aloha spirit."

But in the midst of the Maui wildfires in August that devastated areas like the historical town of Lāhainā and killed upwards of 115 people, Winfrey's relationship to Hawaii has been reexamined by some critics.

Here's what you need to know about Winfrey's Hawaiian properties, her response to the wildfires, and how she's handling the controversy.

Oprah Winfrey owns real estate around the world, but a large chunk of her property is on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Oprah Winfrey.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

After the devastating wildfires in Maui this August, Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launched the People's Fund for Maui and donated $5 million each.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Oprah Winfrey have been friends for numerous years.AP Photo

The response was mixed, with some criticizing them for seemingly asking for donations while they have a reported combined net worth of $3 billion. Others praised them for creating the fund and donating money.

Oprah Winfrey meets people at a distribution and aid site on August 13, 2023.Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images

The response was mixed, with some criticizing them for seemingly asking for donations while they have a reported combined net worth of $3 billion. Others praised them for creating the fund and donating money.

Winfrey spoke about the backlash on "CBS Mornings" in September.

Winfrey on "CBS Mornings."CBS

Celebrities, including Winfrey, have previously been called out for making big property purchases in Hawaii, as Native Hawaiians are priced out of the land and experience high rates of homelessness.

Oprah Winfrey in 2020.Steve Jennings/Getty Images

Celebrities, including Winfrey, have previously been called out for making big property purchases in Hawaii, as Native Hawaiians are priced out of the land and experience high rates of homelessness.

Oprah's first purchase of land in Hawaii was 100 acres in Kula, part of Maui's upcountry, in 2003.

Kula, Hawaii.Google Maps

She bought the land in Kula at the recommendation of her former trainer.

Oprah Winfrey's estate is seen on March 16, 2004, in Kula, Hawaii.Erik Aeder/Getty Images

She was originally going to build the "ultimate Hawaii homestead" on the land, her decorator said, but instead, she fell in love with the original house and renovated it to her liking.

Oprah Winfrey's estate is seen on March 16, 2004 in Kula, Hawaii.Erik Aeder/Getty Images

She was originally going to build the "ultimate Hawaii homestead" on the land, her decorator said, but instead, she fell in love with the original house and renovated it to her liking.

The land also came with a 12-room bed-and-breakfast on 17 acres.

A view of the water from above in Kula (not Winfrey's land).Kjell Linder/Getty Images

In late 2021, Winfrey purchased a 3-acre property in Kula for $7 million. As she already owned the adjacent land, she was able to connect her properties after this purchase.

A jacaranda tree in upcountry Kula, also not Winfrey's land.Manuel Balesteri/Shutterstock

In late 2021, Winfrey purchased a 3-acre property in Kula for $7 million. As she already owned the adjacent land, she was able to connect her properties after this purchase.

Over the past year, she has reportedly purchased four parcels of land, totaling 870 acres, for $6.6 million.

A view from inside the botanical garden near Haleakalā Volcano.EQRoy/Shutterstock

In addition to her upcountry land, Winfrey also owns land in Hāna, a town on the easternmost tip of Maui.

Hana on a map.Google Maps

Although Winfrey has faced some criticism for buying the land, others have a different opinion since she's left much of it undeveloped and hires locals to help with upkeep.

Oprah Winfrey.Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Although Winfrey has faced some criticism for buying the land, others have a different opinion since she's left much of it undeveloped and hires locals to help with upkeep.

The 2023 wildfires aren't the first time Winfrey's land was hit by a natural disaster. During a 2019 brush fire, Winfrey opened her private road to assist with evacuations.

Oprah Winfrey in 2019.Rachel Luna/Getty Images

The 2023 wildfires aren't the first time Winfrey's land was hit by a natural disaster. During a 2019 brush fire, Winfrey opened her private road to assist with evacuations.

As Maui rebuilds, Winfrey has been extending aid in various ways, through monetary donations, starting the fund, and distributing supplies throughout the island.

Oprah Winfrey, left, holds hands with Luz Vargas, right, at a distribution and aid site at Honokowai Beach Park on August 13, 2023.Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images

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Oprah Winfrey, who owns 1,000 acres of land on Maui, angered fans with her fundraiser after the wildfires. Here's a rundown of her history with Hawaii.

Oprah Winfrey owns real estate around the world, but a large chunk of her property is on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

After the devastating wildfires in Maui this August, Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launched the People's Fund for Maui and donated $5 million each.

The response was mixed, with some criticizing them for seemingly asking for donations while they have a reported combined net worth of $3 billion. Others praised them for creating the fund and donating money.

Winfrey spoke about the backlash on "CBS Mornings" in September.

Celebrities, including Winfrey, have previously been called out for making big property purchases in Hawaii, as Native Hawaiians are priced out of the land and experience high rates of homelessness.

Oprah's first purchase of land in Hawaii was 100 acres in Kula, part of Maui's upcountry, in 2003.

She bought the land in Kula at the recommendation of her former trainer.

She was originally going to build the "ultimate Hawaii homestead" on the land, her decorator said, but instead, she fell in love with the original house and renovated it to her liking.

The land also came with a 12-room bed-and-breakfast on 17 acres.

In late 2021, Winfrey purchased a 3-acre property in Kula for $7 million. As she already owned the adjacent land, she was able to connect her properties after this purchase.

Over the past year, she has reportedly purchased four parcels of land, totaling 870 acres, for $6.6 million.

In addition to her upcountry land, Winfrey also owns land in Hāna, a town on the easternmost tip of Maui.

Although Winfrey has faced some criticism for buying the land, others have a different opinion since she's left much of it undeveloped and hires locals to help with upkeep.

The 2023 wildfires aren't the first time Winfrey's land was hit by a natural disaster. During a 2019 brush fire, Winfrey opened her private road to assist with evacuations.

As Maui rebuilds, Winfrey has been extending aid in various ways, through monetary donations, starting the fund, and distributing supplies throughout the island.