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Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that his companies SpaceX and Tesla are contributing to the relief efforts in Hawaii in the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through Maui and Lahaina. Musk shared on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) that both companies are doing their best to assist Hawaii, including deploying SpaceX’s Starlink satellites to help restore internet connectivity to the affected community.

According to Starlink’s post on X, they have shipped and distributed over 650 kits to more than 40 organizations on the island that are involved in recovery efforts. One of these organizations, Red Lightning Disaster Relief, purchased 20 Starlink systems and has already begun setting them up. Starlink’s kits include pre-connected equipment that can be easily installed or mounted near the ground to establish internet service.

The Maui wildfires have been the deadliest in the United States in over a century. County officials reported that the death toll has reached at least 106 people, with around 1,300 individuals still missing as search operations continue. The wildfires resulted in the destruction of more than 2,200 structures, including homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure that provides electricity, water, and cell service.

Moody’s Analytics estimates that the economic cost of the disaster could range between .5 billion and billion, encompassing both property damage and lost output. While Tesla has not provided immediate comments regarding their contributions to the relief efforts, multiple Tesla Owners Clubs have announced their own initiatives to support those affected by the wildfires. These include partnerships with organizations such as the Maui Food Bank, Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way’s Maui Fire Relief Fund, and King’s Cathedral Maui.

The efforts of Musk’s companies, along with the contributions from various organizations and volunteers, are critical in aiding Hawaii’s recovery from this devastating natural disaster.

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