Elon Musk’s Tesla and SpaceX helping people of Hawaii

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said on Wednesday that Tesla, an American multinational automotive and clean energy company, and SpaceX, an American spacecraft engineering company, were helping the people of Hawaii.

Wildfires have wreaked havoc on Hawaii’s Maui and the town of Lahaina. The wildfires have already claimed the lives of more than 110 people. Amid the crisis, Elon Musk’s two companies, Tesla and SpaceX, are helping the people of Hawaii. 

Elon Musk wrote on X (Twitter), “Tesla and SpaceX/Starlink doing our best to be helpful to Hawaii.”

Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, said on X platform that the company provided connectivity in Maui, the second-largest of the islands of the state of Hawaii. Reportedly, the Starlink team shipped and distributed more than 650 kits to over 40 organizations on the island to support the people amid the crisis. 

Red Lightning Disaster Relief, a non-profit organization based in the United States, also set up free wifi for people affected by Maui wildfires. Red Lightning reportedly bought 20 Starlink systems to provide internet connection in Lahaina, a place in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. 

Red Lightning wrote on LinkedIn, “We bought 20 Starlink systems to bring internet connection. We successfully set up multiple today, and will continue to set more up in the next few days.”

Starlink also wrote on X, “We are working with local retailers to make Starlink available below cost. More to come as needed!”

The Maui wildfire started on August 8. It burned over 2,500 acres across Lahaina. Reportedly, more than 1,000 people remain missing due to the incident.

Josh Green, an American politician and the governor of Hawaii, said that the death toll can increase in the coming days. The governor also said, “It will certainly be the worst natural disaster that Hawaii ever faced.”