Highlights

• Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and Oprah Winfrey confronted backlash for their fundraising efforts for Maui wildfires because of the small dimension of their $10 million donation compared to their mixed billion-dollar net worth.
• The controversy highlighted the significant costs and challenges faced via displaced citizens and the need for funds to rebuild broken areas and revive the tourism-dependent island.
• Dwayne Johnson issued a sincere apology according to the fundraising controversy, expressing gratitude to those who supported the motive and vowing to concentrate, be told, and do higher at some point.

In October 2023, Dwayne Johnson (also known as "The Rock") apologized to fans, after collaborating in what was a arguable Maui wildfires fundraising plea alongside Oprah Winfrey.

On August 8th, abruptly transferring wildfires raged across the Hawaiian island of Maui, carving a path of destruction. ABC News revealed a timeline referring to the disaster on August 18th, and reported on preliminary chaos because the fires spread (and the break up second decisions among those fleeing the blaze):

"Around 5 p.m. The situation in Lahaina [grew] increasingly dire. The next hour [became] a collection of life-or-death decisions for those who remained in Lahaina. Video footage captures people fleeing the blaze, in some cases abandoning their cars, jumping into the ocean or pools for safety ... At 5:15 p.m., a woman named Kristina Lee-Garrido and her friend [decided] they [didn't] have time to flee lower Lahaina. They recorded the blaze around them from the Aina Nalu hotel pool as fire pressed in on all sides. Around 5:30, another family [abandoned] their car and jump[ed] into the ocean."

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In overdue September, the New York Times lined ongoing difficulties faced by displaced residents of Maui, in addition to top estimated prices to revive damaged spaces and very important services and products:

"The Maui County authorities will provide returnees with masks and other personal protective equipment for the visit, official said, and will have counselors on hand to help with the emotional aspects of the visit ... There are significant worries about how much it will cost for residents to rebuild homes — an early estimate projects that $5.5 billion will be needed to repair damaged areas in West Maui — as well as the economic revival of a tourism-dependent island."

Maui's wildfires represented a large natural disaster, and as is continuously the case, celebrities stepped in to coordinate and publicize efforts to assist. NPR reported that "Winfrey has a house on Maui and Johnson spent part of his childhood in Hawaii," and that the pair "started a $10 million fund to help victims get back on their feet."

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On August 31st, NBC News reported on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Oprah Winfrey's joint efforts to fundraise for Maui residents – which the pair announced in an August 31st Instagram post:

"The duo has launched the People’s Fund of Maui, in which cash will go directly to people whose lives have been affected by the blazes. Winfrey and Johnson kicked off the campaign by donating $10 million."

Backlash adopted almost immediately, both on social media and within the news. On September 7th, Blavity posted about the controversy on Instagram:

Alongside images and video, @Blavity's post defined why the stars' Maui fundraiser did not go over well – basically because of the size of the fund in terms of Oprah and The Rock's respective (and high) internet worths:

"Winfrey and Johnson recently announced the creation of the Peoples Fund of Maui, allowing Maui residents who've been displaced or negatively affected by the fires to apply for grants of up to $1,200 ... Winfrey owns hundreds of acres of land on the island, while Johnson, who has Polynesian heritage, spent time in Hawaii as a child.⁠ ⁠ Much of the criticism has centered on the fact that the two stars are worth nearly $3 billion, making their $10 million donation worth less than 1% of their total wealth."⁠ ⁠

Oprah used to be already being criticized over her response to the Maui wildfires when the controversy over fundraising started, similar to in one tweet published on August thirteenth:

On September eleventh, Oprah had repeatedly addressed the controversy; Johnson had not. Winfrey objected to what she described as internet based "vitriol" over the fundraiser when wondered in regards to the controversy.

On October 7th, Dwayne Johnson issued a statement (with video) to Instagram:

In the video, Johnson in particular apologized, and mentioned: ".... money ain’t falling out of the sky, and it’s not growing on trees, and there’s a lot of people out there who’s living paycheck to paycheck. And I get it, and I know what that’s like ..." In the textual content portion of The Rock's post, he first thanked "everyone who has helped by sending resources, love and prayers to all people affected by the fires and a loving mahalo," adding "RESPECT to our OG cultural leaders, our local community organizations, and all our first responders and every person who came together to help our people."

Johnson continued, offering an unqualified, honest apology for the fundraising controversy:

"And to everyone in my social media community right here. Our connection is everything because we only know how to be REAL with each other. You always tell me the truth - good or bad - I’ll always appreciate and protect that straight talk between us - you have my word to always listen, learn, grow and do better. I’ve never launched a fund before - trust me, I’m a quick study and learn my lessons fast 😊 I totally get it and I appreciate you."

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson didn't end with an apology in his Maui wildfires fundraising replace put up. Before concluding, he addressed survivors of the crisis: "Mana is in our DNA. All of us. We get knocked down. We rise back up stronger, as one. That’s who we are as Polynesian people. And that’s who we are as Americans. STAY STRONG MAUI."

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