{"id":284868,"date":"2023-08-11T03:33:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T08:33:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=284868"},"modified":"2023-08-11T10:48:09","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T15:48:09","slug":"las-vegas-comic-survives-hawaiian-deadly-wildfire-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/las-vegas-comic-survives-hawaiian-deadly-wildfire-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Las Vegas Comic Survives Hawaiian Deadly Wildfire – Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Las Vegas-based performer visiting Maui was able to escape to Honolulu this week after a wildfire<\/a> struck the western portion of the devasted Hawaiian<\/a> island.<\/p>\n

\"Flames
Flames and smoke spread on the Hawaiian island of Maui, pictured above. A Las Vegas-based comedian evacuated from the impacted region. (Image: Honolulu Magazine<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Comedian\/hypnotist Don Barnhart was on the island paradise for a show when the deadly fire ignited and quickly spread. His comedy performance planned for Sunday at Da Playground Maui in Wailuku was canceled.<\/p>\n

Electricity, cell phone, and internet service went out for days as a result of the blaze. But eventually, Barnhart and his wife made it to safety.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just starting to hit us, that oh my God,\u201d<\/strong> he told Las Vegas TV station KLAS<\/em>. \u201cWe were two miles away from where the fire was.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At that impacted location, people jumped into a harbor to protect themselves from the fast-moving flames.<\/p>\n

Faced Death<\/h2>\n

“We looked at each other and went \u2018okay,\u2019\u201d Barnhart added. \u201cIf this is our time, we\u2019ve been blessed with a wonderful life, and we\u2019ll die together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barnhart previously expected to open a comedy club<\/a> on Maui. Those plans have now been shelved after the site was destroyed by the wildfire.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back on the mainland, Barnhart often performs at the Delirious Comedy Club in Las Vegas. He’s also scheduled to perform on Norwegian Cruise Line ships later this year.<\/p>\n

Barnhart realizes the devasting fires are no laughing matter, and is looking toward the future following his harrowing brush with Mother Nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrateful we\u2019re alive and counting our blessings,\u201d he tweeted late this week.<\/p>\n

53 Perish<\/h2>\n

As of Friday morning, 53 people in Hawaii had perished as a result of the wildfire, CNN<\/em> reported, with the town of Lahaina being particularly hard hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will continue to see loss of life,\u201d Hawaii Gov. Josh Green predicted on Thursday. \u201cLahaina, with a few rare exceptions, has been burned down. Without a doubt, it feels like a bomb was dropped on Lahaina.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some 11,000 people on Maui remained without power as of Thursday night. Many were forced to move to shelters or find other temporary housing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fire began on Tuesday and dry conditions and strong winds<\/a> caused the blaze to spread. Since then, firefighters have made progress in battling the blaze, which was 80% contained as of early Friday.<\/p>\n

The wildfire surprised island residents. An emergency siren system did not activate, the Associated Press<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n

Red Cross Responds<\/h2>\n

Nevada residents and businesses are donating to charities to help impacted residents of Hawaii. The two states have a close relationship<\/a>, with travel between Nevada and Hawaii being very popular. And on Friday, Barb Kramer, a disaster relief volunteer of the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada, is scheduled to leave for Hawaii, according to Reno TV station KRNV<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Kramer, who has provided aid in disasters some 20 times over a decade, will remain in Maui for at least three weeks.<\/p>\n

\n

Grateful we\u2019re alive and counting our blessings. https:\/\/t.co\/0po0QaeZpv<\/a><\/p>\n

— Don Barnhart (@donbarnhart) August 11, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n