As Maui residents experience another day of devastation caused by a devastating wildfire that has so far claimed 36 lives and left hundreds homeless, many are wondering where the island’s wealthiest landowners are — and what they are prepared to do , To help.
Oprah, Jeff Bezos, Larry Ellison, Clint Eastwood and Steven Tyler are among the big names with homes on Maui, but no one has commented on how they plan to help those in need.
Bezos’ fiancee Lauren Sanchez posted on Instagram that the fires “broke her heart,” but he hasn’t commented yet.
With a net worth of $162 billion, he is the third richest man in the world. Bezos owns a $78 million estate on Maui’s southwest shore.
Maui’s part-time residents include Oprah Winfrey, Jeff Bezos, Steven Tyler, Owen Wilson and more. Larry Ellison owns almost all of the island of Lanai, which is near the town of Lahaina. Fleetwood Mac’s Mick has encouraged fundraisers and is himself suffering from the loss of his restaurant. The others remain silent while thousands of locals try to put the pieces of their lives and homes back together
A source close to the couple told they were “devastated” by the disaster.
“Since yesterday they have been on the phone with local people and local officials.” “They will be donating to help the community,” they said.
Oprah, worth $2.5 billion, owns nearly 5,000 acres of land on Maui and has lived there part-time for the past 15 years. It is unclear if any part of their land was damaged.
She bought the most recent property – 860 acres – in March of this year for $6.6 million. Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler also has a home on the island, as does Owen Wilson and Clint Eastwood.
Oprah spends much of her time on Maui with her best friend, Gayle King. The pair are shown during a recent hike in Hawaii
In addition to an 11-bedroom ranch (pictured), Oprah also owns a total of nearly 5,000 acres on Maui
Larry Ellison owns 98 percent of the nearby island of Lanai. The Oracle billionaire has yet to make a public statement about the disaster.
Mark Zuckerberg, who owns a massive home on the island of Kauai, has yet to comment on the disaster.
Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood saw his Lahaina restaurant – Fleetwood’s on Front Street – burn to the ground.
In a statement on social media, Mick said, “Maui and the Lahaina community have been my home for several decades.”
“This is a devastating moment for Maui and many are suffering unimaginable losses.”
“Fleetwood’s on Front Street has been lost and while we are heartbroken, our main priority is the safety of our dear employees and team members.”
Bezos’ home with Sanchez is in exclusive La Perouse Bay. He paid a whopping $78 million for the 14-acre property
Bezos with his fiancée Lauren Sanchez four days ago in Taormina, Sicily. A source close to the couple told they were “devastated” and had been on the phone with “locals and local officials” to find out how best to help
“On behalf of myself and my family, I share my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of Maui.
“We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days, months and years to come.”
Barack Obama, who grew up in Honolulu and has a home on the Big Island, also released a statement last night with a link to a local community fundraiser.
“It’s difficult to see some of the images from Hawaii – a place that is so special to so many of us.”
“Michelle and I think of everyone who has lost a loved one or whose life has been turned upside down. “If you want to help, you can do so here,” he said.
After hearing reports that her home was destroyed along with her pets, Steff Baku-Kirkman responds after it was believed that wildfires caused by high winds destroyed much of the historic town of Lahaina
Lahaina was almost “erased from the map” after 271 buildings burned to the ground in violent wildfires
An aerial view shows destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground after the wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii, August 10, 2023 around the harbor and Front Street in the historic town of Lahaina
Late Wednesday, August 9, 2023, a forest fire burns in Kihei, south Maui. Thousands of residents fled as flames swept across the island in one of the deadliest wildfires in the United States in recent years
Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood saw his Lahaina restaurant – Fleetwood’s on Front Street – burned to the ground
Honolulu native Jason Momoa also appealed for help for the islanders.
“We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ohana on Maui who have been impacted by the recent wildfires.”
Momoa has repeatedly shared links to the fundraisers.
Bette Midler, who also has a home in Hawaii, tweeted about the ongoing disaster relief efforts.
And Pierce Brosnan and his wife, Keely Shaye Brosnan, who have a home on Kauai, have reached out for support.
“My sincerest and heartfelt prayers for Maui, the Hawaiian community, residents, families and animals affected by these unprecedented wildfires,” Keely posted on Instagram.
“If you are able, please consider making a donation to the Hawaii/Maui Community Foundation to help those in need.”
The American Red Cross is in Hawaii to help with the recovery, which officials say will take “years.”
According to Deadline, celebrity chef Jose Andres — who regularly helps out with natural disasters — is working on a plan to feed many Maui locals.
The death toll from the fires has now risen to 36, hundreds are still missing and hundreds are homeless.