Attn: We Are Oceania (WAO), 720 North King St., Honolulu HI 96817 ajojoscholars@gmail.com (808) 430-2017

Meet the Scholars

We proudly introduce you to our recipients of the Dr. Joakim Peter Memorial Scholarship who are part of the A+JOJO Scholars Program.

Camille Alik
RMI

Camille is a Senior at the University of Portland majoring in Social Work and minoring in Ethnic Studies and Environmental Policy. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i until the latter years of her adolescence, which was spent growing up in Hilo, Hawai’i. She graduated valedictorian from Waiākea High School where she was very actively involved in sports and community service.” Read more...

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Jayvaughn Peter
Pohnpei, FSM

Jayvaughn was born in Wahiawa, HI to two Pohnpeians who left their island for more opportunities in America and found each other once there. Jayvaughn spent his first 14 years as a military brat – moving every three years before his father retired and settled in Harker Heights, TX outside of Ft. Hood. Read more...

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Pualani Harper
Chuuk, FSM

Pualani is a Chuukese undergraduate student at Arizona State University and is part of the prestigious Barrett Honors College majoring in medical studies with a minor in family and human development. She graduated from Dobson High School in 2021 in the top 1% with honors in her graduating class of 494, a New American Scholar and Obama Presidential Scholar. Read more...

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Martha Aten
Chuuk, FSM

Martha Aten is from Chuuk, FSM and in her second year at University of Hawaii at Hilo studying Business Administration. She was a valedictorian at Berea Christian School and later at Xavier High School. At Xavier, she received the most prestigious Bishop Kennally Award in recognition of her service, resilience, and academic achievement. Read more...

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Davis Martin
Chuuk / Pohnpei, FSM

Davis Martin completed his AA degree at Honolulu Community College and transferred to the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Fall 2023 to study entrepreneurship.  He was inspired by Jojo's many achievements, but especially "his passion to spread awareness to the local community and empowered Micronesians across Hawaii and Guam." Read more...

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Givanleine Katsuta
Chuuk, FSM

Givanleine "Giva" Katsuta is originally from the outer islands of Chuuk and graduated from Xavier High School. She attended Solano Community College in Northern California before transferring to Sonoma State University where she's majoring in political science. Her long-term goal is to attend law school and return to her homeland of Chuuk, FSM to work in the government to create a safe environment for everyone. Read more..

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Makana Delara
Pohnpei, FSM

Makana graduated from Waiakea High School in Hawaii and attended UH Manoa as an A+JOJO Scholar. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pacific Island Studies and currently works at UH Manoa.  Makana volunteers at not-for-profit organizations and events that contributed to a better understanding of Pacific Islanders. Read more...

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Axel Defngin
Hilo, HI / Yap, FSM

Axel graduated from the Seventh Day Adventist School in Yap, earned a BA from University of Hawaii at Hilo,  and a Master’s degree in Pacific Studies at UH Manoa. He returned to UH Hilo to serve as Project Manager of the Islands of Opportunity - LSAMP Program and will be starting a Ph.D in Pacific History at UH Manoa. Read more...

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Pearlnalin Anien
RMI

Pearlnalin is a graduate of Marshall Islands High School and graduated in 2022 from UH Hilo with a degree in Biology.  She hopes to go on to medical school to serve her community. Read more...

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Srue Wakuk
Kosrae, FSM

Srue is a graduate of Kosrae High School and currently completing her last semester in her Master of Public Health degree at UH Manoa. She works to promote community health through an internship at the UH Cancer Center. She wants to "pass on his [Dr. Joakim Peter] legacy, by helping the Micronesian community in Oahu thrive.” Read more...

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