Michele C. Choy is a Chinese-American community leader and cultural advocate based in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is best known for her nearly 50-year involvement with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (CCCH) and the Narcissus Festival, serving as the longtime Executive Director and Producer of the annual Narcissus Queen Pageant.[1] In 2019, she was elected the first female President of the CCCH since its founding in 1911.[2] In 2025, she was honored for 50 years of continuous service during the festival’s Diamond Jubilee.[1]
Early Life and Education
Choy was born in 1956 and raised in Nuuanu, Hawaii. She went to Kawananakoa Middle School and Roosevelt High School as well as Kapiolani Community College, where she developed an interest in business, fashion, and community service.[3][4] In 1975, at the age of 19, she entered the 25th Annual Narcissus Queen Pageant as a contestant. Although she did not place in the court, this lasting experience inspired her to volunteer for the organization the following year, beginning a lifelong career in cultural preservation.[1]
Narcissus Queen Pageant
Beginning her journey with the CCCH as a volunteer scribe, Choy steadily rose through the organization’s ranks. After serving as an assistant to the pageant producer, she ultimately assumed leadership as the Narcissus Queen Pageant Chairwoman.[3][4]
Choy is most credited with evolving Narcissus Queen Pageant from a traditional beauty contest into a comprehensive Chinese heritage and leadership program. This shift was initiated after Choy observed that many contestants lacked a direct connection to Chinese heritage or traditional customs. To address this, she developed a curriculum aimed at helping women of Chinese ancestry in Hawaii reconnect with their ancestral roots, noting that some participants had not previously engaged with the Honolulu Chinatown community or practiced ancestral dialects prior to entering the pageant.
In the early 1990s, Choy implemented a training program for all contestants. She recruited local instructors to conduct courses in Chinese history, calligraphy, tea ceremonies, lion dancing, and martial arts. These requirements were integrated into the pageant's structure to focus on cultural preservation for the Chinese diaspora in Hawaii.
In addition to the educational components, Choy altered the event’s production and staging. She updated the pageant's scripts and oversaw the transition to a televised format held at the Hawaii Theatre. These changes modernized the presentation of the festival while maintaining its focus on traditional Chinese arts.[1][4]
Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
Choy has held numerous leadership roles within the CCCH:
- President (2019–2020): First woman to lead the Chamber since its founding in 1911 and has since been on the Board of Directors.
- Narcissus Festival Chairwoman: She directed the festival for decades, overseeing the coronation ball, the Chinatown open house, and the Goodwill tours to Asia.
- Civic Leadership: She has served as a leader for the Chinese American World War II Recognition Project[5] and as a trustee for various benevolent societies, including the See Dai Doo Society and the Ching Clan Benevolent Society. [6]
Awards and Recognition
- 75th Anniversary Honor (2025): Recognized for five decades of service during the diamond jubilee of the Narcissus Festival.
- Community Leadership Awards: Has been honored by various Chinatown organizations for her role in preserving Chinese-American history in Hawaii.
Career and Personal Life
Outside of her civic leadership, Choy had a long career as an Endodontics office manager for 37 years before she retired.[4] Her professional background in administration and organization is often cited as the foundation for her disciplined approach to event production. [3]
References
"Learn More". Chinese American World War II Recognition Project - Hawaii. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
