TV crew with Oprah turned away from shelter housing Maui fire survivors during media mogul’s visit

A digital camera crew that was accompanying Oprah Winfrey as she visited Maui wildfire survivors inside a Hawaii shelter Sunday was turned away on the door resulting from a no-media coverage inside, officers mentioned.

The well-known tv host and media mogul helped elevate the spirits of Maui residents at Struggle Memorial Advanced with out the cameras capturing the second as a result of ongoing coverage by county officers.

Winfrey, who lives on the Hawaiian island part-time, has made a number of journeys to consolation these impacted by the raging fires which have killed almost 100 individuals and destroyed or broken over 2,000 buildings.

“Oprah was in a position to go to our shelter and we thank her for instructing media journalists and digital camera crews to stay exterior,” the County of Maui wrote on Facebook. “We welcome Oprah to proceed to uplift our group’s spirit and provides her aloha to victims of the tragic catastrophe.

“Her go to inside the shelter immediately was really heartwarming and we respect her understanding of our coverage of getting no digital camera crews or reporters accompanying dignitaries and celebrities in our emergency shelters.”

The assertion from county officers got here after local Star Advertiser News initially reported that Winfrey, 69, and a CBS crew following her had been denied entrance as a result of media is just not allowed to enter the shelter.

Simply days in the past, Winfrey spoke on digital camera to the BCC inside the shelter about giving residents a serving to hand.

“It’s somewhat overwhelming, ,” Winfrey told the outlet on video late final week. “However I’m actually so happy to have so many individuals, , supporting, and individuals are simply bringing what they will and doing what they will.”

It’s unclear how the BBC was in a position to interview her contained in the shelter whereas the CBS crew was barred from the ability Sunday.

Winfrey, who has been dwelling on the island part-time for 15 years and owns 2,000 acres of land, mentioned she requested residents what they wanted earlier than coming again with gadgets like pillows, shampoo, diapers and sheets from shops like Walmart and Costco.

She has visited the emergency shelter thrice already, according to Hawaii News Now.

“I introduced private hygiene merchandise and the opposite day it was towels and sheets and pillows and the day earlier than that it was water,” she advised the native information outlet, talking exterior the shelter.

Winfrey promised to assist these displaced and devastated by the historic hearth for so long as wanted.

“In per week or two, all of the cameras will likely be gone and the remainder of the world goes to maneuver on with their lives and we’re all nonetheless going to be right here making an attempt to determine what’s one of the simplest ways to rebuild,” she advised the outlet. “I will likely be right here for the longhaul, doing what I can.”

The wildfires have devastated Maui, killing 93 individuals which makes it the deadliest wildfire within the US in additional than 100 years. Solely two fatal victims have been identified as far as officers described a few of the recovered stays so badly broken “they crumble.”

A whole lot extra stay unaccounted for.

1000’s of individuals have misplaced their houses and possessions because the fast-moving flames engulfed components of the island final week, together with within the resort metropolis of Lahaina which was principally decimated. 

The reason for the large blaze is unknown, although attorneys investigating the hearth reportedly imagine it was caused by damaged power lines.