Oprah and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have drawn criticism after creating a fund for the victims of the Lahaina fire in Maui.
On Thursday, August 31, the pair announced via social media that they had created the People’s Fund of Maui. The goal of the fund was to put money directly into the hands of those affected by the wildfires.
“Every adult resident who lives in the affected area and was displaced by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula is eligible to receive $1200 per month to help them through this period of recovery,” Oprah wrote in her caption.
The fund, however, has drawn criticism from peopleon social media. Oprah and The Rock have both donated an initial $5 million to the fund but are now calling on the public to contribute. Many people expressed frustration that two wealthy celebrities were asking every day people to donate.
Many people also pointed out that Oprah owns large amounts of land in Maui, the land they feel should be given back to Native Hawaiians. In March, Maui Now reported that the billionaire businesswoman had bought 870 acres of land in Kula for nearly $6.6 million.
Has Oprah thought about just restoring the land she occupies in Maui back to the natives lol https://t.co/to6WGfDxCW
— I Could’ve Just Sat On In With Massa (@WrittenByHanna) September 1, 2023
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