Courtney Choy remembers the night she graduated from Punahou in 2014 as “one of the proudest times” of her life. This year, she celebrated two nights that many of us would consider even bigger. On May 15, she was crowned Miss Hawaii 2021. The next day she graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s William S. Richardson School of Law.
The title and diploma are testaments to the work ethic — defined by dedication and perseverance — that the 25-year-old Ewa Beach resident grew up with. During Choy’s three years at Punahou, she started school days at 5 a.m. with a cup of coffee and a bus-ride commute from Ewa Beach to the Punahou campus. At the end of each day, she made the long commute back.
From Punahou, Choy went to the UH Shidler College of Business where she graduated summa cum laude in 2018 with a bachelor’s of business administration degree in marketing, management and international business. Then came law school. Choy was in her second year when she ran for Miss Chinatown Hawaii and won. She then beat 16 other candidates to become Miss Hawaii.
Choy will represent Hawaii at the 100th Miss America Pageant in the Mohegan Sun Arena at Uncasville, Conn., in December.
Going to law school is a full-time job for most people. How did you find time for pageants?
There were so many times I wanted to give up during the last semester, preparing for the bar exam. But when I had doubts, I remembered to believe in myself and be sure of whom I am and content in who I am. I’m so proud of coming from Ewa Beach and learning time management and believing in myself.
What were your expectations when you ran for Miss Chinatown Hawaii?
I wanted to find a way to grow myself outside of academics. I thought Miss Chinatown was so great, not only because you get to learn more about your culture, but you get to meet these amazing Asian American women who are doing great things in their community. And it was a way to channel those (communication) skills that I want to develop in the law.
What are your plans for your platform — “Women’s Empowerment Through Partnership”?
When I was 14 years old, I enrolled in a girls’ empowerment course before I entered high school. That was when I started to manifest and believe in what I wanted in my own life through different activities and through different role models. That’s what I hope to do with my program for the next generation.
How did you become involved in hula?
It was through my elementary school. I went to St. Elizabeth School in Aiea, and I found that hula was the way that I could connect spiritually to Hawaii. For Miss Hawaii, I danced “E Ku’u Lei,” as recorded by the Brothers Cazimero, because for me it represented the people and places who have brought to me where I am. When I danced that song, offering it to the judges and the audience, I was saying, “This is my lei (for you).”
What are you doing these days other than preparing for Miss America?
I’m going to the beach more, re-centering myself, and spending more time with my parents too. My father is Chinese, and my mother is Japanese-German-Irish, and during COVID was I researching my German and Irish ancestors — even if you never meet them you represent them in everything that you do. And I’ve been doing more reading. I love reading. Leisure reading!
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I see myself in Hawaii for sure, and mostly working for our most vulnerable population — women, children and the elderly. I didn’t always use my voice growing up, and through law school I found my voice. I want to help these communities that don’t always get a voice.
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Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.
