(Oct 31, 2008) Leilani Münter is traveling to her mother's home state of Hawai'i to speak out about environmental issues and raise awareness about climate change.
The event will take place at 6:30pm on Monday, November 17 at the State Capitol Auditorium in Honolulu Hawai'i. The event is being
organized by the
Conservation Council for Hawai'i and the
Oahu Motorsport Advisory Council.
Leilani has several Hawai'i appearances scheduled prior to her speech including autgraph signings and a SCUBA dive open to the public on Sunday, Nov 16.
"I am looking forward to speaking in Hawaii to raise awareness about the critical environmental issues facing the world today,"
said Leilani, "Hawai'i is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and since much of Hawaii's beauty lies under the sea, I am looking forward to doing
some scuba diving as well. The coral reefs in Hawaii and around the world are being threatened by climate change and we must find solutions before we lose
these beautiful underwater ecosystems."
"One doesn't often talk about race car driving and environmental protection in the same sentence - unless you're talking about Leilani
Münter," said Marjorie Ziegler, executive director of Conservation Council for Hawai'i. "We are honored to co-sponsor Leilani's "Race to Save the
Planet" Hawai'i Tour. Her energy and commitment are an inspiration, and we are excited to be working with the motorsports community. Put on your seat belts!"
"Oahu Motorsports Advisory Council (OMAC) is proud and excited to welcome Leilani Münter to our island home in support of her continuing mission to educate the public on the merits of
being carbon-free, especially in an environment that's not normally associated with the idea," said OMAC Chairman Michael Kitchens, "While we continue to
support SORT, LLC to develop the future Kalaeloa Raceway Park, we take to heart the lessons of being green and the efforts required to do so. We sincerely
thank Leilani and the Conservation Council for Hawaii for the chance to participate and learn more about how we can save our environment while engaging in our motorsports
passions."
SCUBA Dive with Leilani and Deep Ecology on the North Shore of Oahu
Deep Ecology Dive Shop, in Hale’iwa Town on O’ahu’s North Shore, was founded on principals of sustainability. The company has rescued over 55 threatened honu (green sea turtles) and has raised public awareness and support for the North Shore's only marine life conservation district.
The company continues to embrace its long-standing belief in protecting the environment, having literally "recycled" one of its dive boats by revamping
the engine to run on propane. The eco-friendly boat, Hawaii Noa Mau Loa, now emits 40-50% less greenhouse gasses than when it ran on a gas engine.
The boat is an investment in protecting the North Shore and a testament to further Deep Ecology’s campaign to protect the marine habitat that the company
and it's patrons so greatly enjoy. To dive with Leilani on Nov 16 (see details on Leilani's Hawaii tour schedule below) call Deep Ecology at 808 637-7946 or visit their website
deepecology1.com.
About the Conservation Council for Hawai'i
The Conservation Council for Hawai'i (CCH) is dedicated to protecting native Hawaiian plants, animals, and ecosystems for future generations.
In 1950 during the Pacific Science Conference in Honolulu, a group of leading scientists discussed the need for an
organization in Hawai’i with a scientific base to help formulate policy and inform decision-making to protect Hawaiian natural resources.
As a result of that discussion, the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i was formed.
Today, CCH is one of the largest wildlife organizations in Hawai‘i with over 5,000 members who work to protect our unique natural heritage.
CCH is 501(c)(3) organization. Through education, service, policy-making, and advocacy, CCH works with scientists, government agencies, elected officials,
and community organizations to stop the destruction of wildlife and wild places in Hawai’i. Hawai‘i faces increasing pressure on its natural resources.
The onslaught of invasive species, global warming, inadequate funding for conservation, and public indifference are taking a greater toll on our unique
environment than ever before.
About Leilani Münter
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and environmental activist. She holds a bachelors degree in Biology specializing in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution from the University of California San Diego. Leilani adopts an acre of rainforest for every race she runs and is a long time vegetarian and eco activist. She is politically active in the legistlative
fight for the environment and has made several visits to Capitol Hill to speak with members of Congress on behalf of climate change legislation. She also blogs in the green section of The Huffington Post, rated the most influential blog in the world by the Guardian.
Leilani is the fourth woman in history to race in the Indy Pro Series, the development league of IndyCar. She set the record for the highest finish for a female driver in the history of the Texas Motor Speedway when she finished fourth in 2006. Her racing accomplishments have landed her on the pages of USA Today, Italian Vogue, Esquire, ESPN and Sports Illustrated named her one of the top ten female race car drivers in the world.
With family ties in the music community – her brother-in-law is Grateful Dead guitarist and singer Bob Weir – Leilani is a self described “vegetarian hippie chick.” She documents her efforts to go green on her eco site
carbonfreegirl.com.
Leilani Münter "Race to Save the Planet" Hawai'i Tour
Leilani will be making several appearances in Hawai'i in the days leading up to her speech including morning talk shows, news interviews, and autograph appearances. She looks forward
to talking with the local community about the critical environmental issues we face today. The following list will be updated as her Hawai'i schedule is confirmed:
