On July 30, 2025, new details emerged regarding a critical oversight in the investigation of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire evacuation on Maui, particularly involving a locked gate near property associated with Oprah Winfrey. The state attorney general’s latest report highlighted multiple locked gates that hindered evacuations, identifying nine such barriers on a map, but omitted a significant gate on Kuhua Street. This gate, part of a metal fence separating a dense residential area from an industrial site adjacent to Winfrey’s property, was a key obstacle during the fire, which resulted in nearly three dozen fatalities, including six individuals who sought refuge in a nearby Quonset hut. The Fire Safety Research Institute, conducting a three-part investigation for the attorney general, did not include this gate in its analysis, as it was not initially mentioned by investigators, according to spokesperson Toni Schwartz. Harrowing 911 calls from trapped residents near Kuhua Street underscored the urgency, with some unable to escape due to the locked barrier. Local resident Kirk Boes provided cell phone video evidence of the gate, noting its proximity to the industrial area, formerly the Pioneer Sugar Mill site. In response, county planners have proposed rebuilding efforts, including extending Aki Street across the industrial property to connect with Papalaua Street, aiming to create a through route. This plan, discussed at a recent Lahainaluna Intermediate School meeting, is intended to improve future evacuation routes. The report also recommends a system for emergency responders to access all gates, following instances where crews used tools to cut locks or sought keyholders. No major updates on the gate’s status or Winfrey’s property were reported, though the oversight has prompted further community input into the investigation.
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