Attn: We Are Oceania (WAO), 720 North King St., Honolulu HI 96817ajojoscholars@gmail.com (808) 430-2017
Dr. Joakim Peter
Dr. Joakim Peter, commonly known as Jojo, inspired many people throughout the Micronesian region and in Hawaiʻi with his value of being a “man for others.” He lived a life of selfless service to the COFA community as an educator, administrator, activist, scholar, researcher, teacher, speaker, healthcare advocate, and above all a humble friend, mentor, brother, uncle. His untimely passing on April 9, 2019 left our hearts broken. This scholarship was created by his friends and colleagues to help keep his legacy alive through the next generation of COFA leaders. We seek applicants who exemplify the life and values of Dr. Joakim Peter in resiliency, hard work, leadership, dedication to social justice, and commitment to advocating for the well-being of the COFA community.
Biography
In 1964, Joakim Peter was born on a tiny atoll called Ettal in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. He was raised by his grandparents on a homestead with thatch house, earthen oven, outrigger canoes, breadfruit trees and taro fields. Jojo’s grandmother and auntie Nono were traditional storytellers and healers. His grandfather was a beloved island chief, recognized as the “Protector” of the lagoon. Jojo’s ancestors had inhabited the island for perhaps a thousand years.
When Jojo was in 5th grade, his grandfather lost his sight. Jojo became his grandfather’s “eyes.” They fished and farmed together; and survived Hurricane Pamela which swept the island in 1976 — leaving the atoll windswept and desolate. In 1979 Jojo boarded a field ship for Xavier High School, a renowned Jesuit school on distant Weno island.
After an eventful freshman year, just as he was to return home for summer vacation, Jojo suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Separated from family, friends and homeland, he was transported to Hawaiʻi where he underwent months long surgeries and therapies — experiencing culture shock, shame and doubt. With the support of kindly hospital staff, fellow youthful patients, and the “mentorship” of more experienced quadriplegics, Jojo began the arduous process of self-discovery and renewal.
Dr. Joakim Peter graduated both from the University of Guam and the University of Hawaiʻi. His graduate studies include two Master’s degrees in history and Pacific island studies; and a Ph.D. in Exceptionalities. For 15 years Dr. Peter served as Cultural and Education Specialist and Director of the Chuuk campus, College of Micronesia – FSM. He headed up the Chuuk Disabled Persons Association and was a founding member of the FSM Disability Council.
In 2011, Dr. Peter moved to Hawaiʻi to pursue his doctoral studies and became a strong and powerful voice for the COFA community in Hawaiʻi and the US. He co-founded We Are Oceania serving as Community Advocacy Manager, an organization founded by Micronesians to centralize and provide support system for all Micronesian communities in Hawaiʻi.
From 2013 to 2017 Dr. Peter served as Outreach Liaison with Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i supporting Honolulu’s Micronesian diaspora communities and other homeless populations. He was hired as Senior Specialist for Community Engagement and Educational Equity with Pacific Resources in Education and Learning (PREL)—a Hawai‘i-based organization dedicated to improving education throughout the Pacific basin. In 2018, Jojo was recognized as the 2018 School of Pacific and Asian Studies Distinguished Alumnus of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies. He collaborated with Dr. Jim Skouge to write his autobiography, Coconut Ratz & Kung Fu Cowboys: Tales of a Pacific Islander’s Childhood.
In recognition of his advocacy efforts, Jojo became the first Micronesian commissioner — appointed by Governor David Ige to serve on the Hawai‘i State Civil Rights Commission.
Dr. Jojo passed away on April 9, 2019 at the Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu. His remains were transported to his home island of Ettal in Chuuk State, FSM.
Dr. Joakim Peter
Dr. Joakim Peter, commonly known as Jojo, inspired many people throughout the Micronesian region and in Hawaiʻi with his value of being a “man for others.” He lived a life of selfless service to the COFA community as an educator, administrator, activist, scholar, researcher, teacher, speaker, healthcare advocate, and above all a humble friend, mentor, brother, uncle. His untimely passing on April 9, 2019 left our hearts broken. This scholarship was created by his friends and colleagues to help keep his legacy alive through the next generation of COFA leaders. We seek applicants who exemplify the life and values of Dr. Joakim Peter in resiliency, hard work, leadership, dedication to social justice, and commitment to advocating for the well-being of the COFA community.
Biography
In 1964, Joakim Peter was born on a tiny atoll called Ettal in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia. He was raised by his grandparents on a homestead with thatch house, earthen oven, outrigger canoes, breadfruit trees and taro fields. Jojo’s grandmother and auntie Nono were traditional storytellers and healers. His grandfather was a beloved island chief, recognized as the “Protector” of the lagoon. Jojo’s ancestors had inhabited the island for perhaps a thousand years.
When Jojo was in 5th grade, his grandfather lost his sight. Jojo became his grandfather’s “eyes.” They fished and farmed together; and survived Hurricane Pamela which swept the island in 1976 — leaving the atoll windswept and desolate. In 1979 Jojo boarded a field ship for Xavier High School, a renowned Jesuit school on distant Weno island.
After an eventful freshman year, just as he was to return home for summer vacation, Jojo suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Separated from family, friends and homeland, he was transported to Hawaiʻi where he underwent months long surgeries and therapies — experiencing culture shock, shame and doubt. With the support of kindly hospital staff, fellow youthful patients, and the “mentorship” of more experienced quadriplegics, Jojo began the arduous process of self-discovery and renewal.
Dr. Joakim Peter graduated both from the University of Guam and the University of Hawaiʻi. His graduate studies include two Master’s degrees in history and Pacific island studies; and a Ph.D. in Exceptionalities. For 15 years Dr. Peter served as Cultural and Education Specialist and Director of the Chuuk campus, College of Micronesia – FSM. He headed up the Chuuk Disabled Persons Association and was a founding member of the FSM Disability Council.
In 2011, Dr. Peter moved to Hawaiʻi to pursue his doctoral studies and became a strong and powerful voice for the COFA community in Hawaiʻi and the US. He co-founded We Are Oceania serving as Community Advocacy Manager, an organization founded by Micronesians to centralize and provide support system for all Micronesian communities in Hawaiʻi.
From 2013 to 2017 Dr. Peter served as Outreach Liaison with Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i supporting Honolulu’s Micronesian diaspora communities and other homeless populations. He was hired as Senior Specialist for Community Engagement and Educational Equity with Pacific Resources in Education and Learning (PREL)—a Hawai‘i-based organization dedicated to improving education throughout the Pacific basin. In 2018, Jojo was recognized as the 2018 School of Pacific and Asian Studies Distinguished Alumnus of the Center for Pacific Islands Studies. He collaborated with Dr. Jim Skouge to write his autobiography, Coconut Ratz & Kung Fu Cowboys: Tales of a Pacific Islander’s Childhood.
In recognition of his advocacy efforts, Jojo became the first Micronesian commissioner — appointed by Governor David Ige to serve on the Hawai‘i State Civil Rights Commission.
Dr. Jojo passed away on April 9, 2019 at the Kuakini Medical Center in Honolulu. His remains were transported to his home island of Ettal in Chuuk State, FSM.
Contributed by Dr. Jim Skouge & Dr. James Viernes
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