‘That’s JoJo — He’s Different’

PODCAST: JoJo Peter is a disabled Micronesian in Hawaii. Those misunderstood labels have given him a powerful position to bring about positive change.
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JoJo Peter brought a unique perspective to a recent Civil Beat storytelling event as a disabled Micronesian living in Hawaii.

Peter urges Americans, and especially their leaders, to develop a better understanding of the struggles — and the attributes — of Micronesians living here.

This is a podcast of his comments at the Oct. 27 event, which also featured Micronesian immigrants Alice Ehmes and Sheldon Riklon, and Civil Beat reporter Chad Blair, who grew up partly on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The event followed our special report, “The Micronesians: An Untold Story of American Immigration”, about Micronesians leaving their home islands by the tens of thousands and coming to the U.S. The seven-part series follows that journey and examines the effect it’s having on the communities in which they are settling.

Olelo Community Media will replay the storytelling event on cable Channel 53 on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., Monday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 10:30 a.m.

Hit the play button to hear the discussion or subscribe to the Civil Beat Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.

Click here to read a transcript of this podcast.

Click here to read a Civil Beat special report, “The Micronesians.”

Jojo Peter, a Chuukese living and working on Honolulu, at a health insurance enrollment session for COFA migrants, in Kalihi.

Jojo Peter at a health insurance enrollment session for COFA migrants in Kalihi last February.

Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat

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