Oprah Winfrey, who has lived in Hawaii on and off for many years, is assisting those who have been displaced by the wildfires in Maui, where she owns a number of homes.
The tragic flames that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui hit close to home for Oprah Winfrey.
The media mogul, who has many properties on the island, hurried to offer his assistance at the shelters established to aid the displaced people.
On August 10, Oprah assisted with the distribution of goods at the War Memorial Stadium in the village of Wailuku on the island. She told the BBC when asked how it felt to be there, “It’s a little overwhelming, you know, but I’m really so pleased to have so many people, you know, supporting and you know, people are just bringing what they can and doing what they can.”
In addition to helping collect donations, she went out to find crucial items displaced residents currently need.
“I came earlier just to see what people needed and then went shopping,” Oprah continued. “Because often, you know, you make donations of clothes or whatever, and it’s not really what people need. So I actually went to Walmart and Costco and got pillows, shampoo, diapers, sheets, pillowcases.”
Oprah is seen in a video providing goods, and the neighborhood group Ko’o Haleakal thanked the OWN founder for helping Maui people during this difficult time.
“Mahalo Nui @oprah for following through!” the organization wrote on Instagram alongside a video of Oprah at the distribution center. “She returned with cots, pillows, and toiletries for the people in the shelter at in Wailuku. She even spent some time with the people there. It was very much appreciated.”
Noting that Oprah “has been to several local shelters to ask first-hand what was most needed,” her rep told CNN that this is only the start of her support for the community, adding that she’ll be providing more aid “as it becomes clear which funds can be the most helpful for the short-term and long-term rebuilding.”
The largest natural calamity in the history of Hawaii, the wildfires, started on August 8. Three parts of Maui have been devastated, including the ancient resort town of Lahaina, which has been nearly completely destroyed, leaving more than 55 people dead and thousands homeless.