Coconut Ratz & Kung Fu Cowboys, the autobiography of Joakim “Jojo” Peter, explores Pacific island cultures and ways of life and the disability experience from an insider’s perspective. The book¡¯s authors are associated with the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ (COE).
Peter, who is from the Mortlock Islands of Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), is a UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ graduate who earned his PhD in special education. He worked on his autobiography with retired COE professor James Skouge.
“This book is an autobiography, which makes it a rarity among Micronesian storytellers,” said Skouge. “Peter vividly describes his childhood growing up on Ettal, an atoll in the outer island Mortlock chain. While in high school, he suffered a spinal cord injury which resulted in quadriplegia. His story is one of resilience, self-determination, optimism and appreciation.”
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Peter, graduated from the University of Guam and UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹. His graduate studies include two master¡¯s degrees in history and Pacific Island Studies and a PhD in exceptionalities from UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹.
For 15 years, Peter served as cultural and education specialist and director of the Chuuk campus, College of Micronesia – FSM, before returning to Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2011 to pursue his doctoral studies. From 2013 to 2017, he served as outreach liaison with Legal Aid Society of Â鶹´«Ã½ supporting Honolulu¡¯s Micronesian diaspora communities and other homeless populations. Peter became Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s first Micronesian commissioner in 2017, appointed by Governor David Ige to serve on the Â鶹´«Ã½ State Civil Rights Commission. Currently, he serves as Senior Specialist for Community Engagement and Educational Equity with Pacific Resources in Education and Learning.
Skouge is a retired professor of disability studies and assistive technology from UH. He promoted digital storytelling throughout the Pacific region, “giving voice” to Pacific Islanders with and without disabilities.
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