Michele Choy hoisted a heavy binder onto her lap and began flipping through hundreds of pages of notes. Within seconds she knew where to find what she was looking for in her 3-inch-thick organizer, crammed with details about the Narcissus Festival happening later this year.

Choy, the festival's queen pageant chairwoman, said she'll likely have to create another organizer to keep track of all the nitty-gritties. And by the end of the event, she's certain both binders will be worn and torn to pieces.

"I like to organize things," said Choy, a fast-talker with an enthusiastic demeanor. "I'm a detail(-oriented) person and because I enjoy it, I don't feel it's work."

Her energy and attention to detail are among the reasons the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i has come to depend on Choy — an officer, board director and devoted volunteer with the organization for more than 30 years. Her current projects: Gearing up for the Narcissus Festival, as well as the fourth annual Splendor of China, this weekend at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Choy's dedication to such events sponsored by the Chinese organization "is marvelous," said Splendor of China chairman Ted Li, who has known Choy for nearly 20 years.

The Splendor of China event kicks off the 58th annual Narcissus Festival, for which Choy, at 52, has served as a contestant coordinator for nearly 30 years and the queen pageant chairwoman for nearly 20.

GETTING INVOLVED

Choy's commitment stems from a desire to perpetuate and, at the same time, stay rooted in the Chinese culture.

"By getting involved, you really know what's going on in the Chinese community," said Choy, who lives in Nu'uanu.

A chic bob, perfectly-lined eyes and smart pantsuit make it easy to see Choy's connection to the often glamorous pageant world.

In fact, Choy's interest in learning more about her culture began when she was a Narcissus pageant contestant more than 30 years ago.

Although Choy didn't win, the experience was life-changing for the then-19-year-old Kapi'olani Community College sophomore.

"I thought it was a fun thing (to do), and it got me back ... in touch with my Chinese heritage," she said.

The following year, in 1974, Choy volunteered to be an assistant to the pageant producer and eventually worked her way up to becoming the queen pageant chairwoman.

"To this day, I really enjoy volunteering and helping out," Choy said. "I like (doing) community service."

A devoted family woman and hard-working dental office manager (for the past 25 years), Choy still manages to commit countless hours on weeknights and weekends to special activities sponsored by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i.

"If you're passionate for something, you make the time for it," Choy said.

Choy's daughter, Tiffany Choy, 24, remembers how her mother always found time to drop her off and pick her up from dance practices and attend her many performances; the younger Choy was active with groups such as 24/7 and Drill Team Hawaii.

"It's inspiring how she can balance life — family and work and all her community things that she does," said Tiffany Choy, now a resident of Kissimmee, Fla.

TAKING CHARGE

At a recent Splendor of China committee meeting — the last one before this weekend's event— more than two dozen committee chairpersons discussed the activities taking place throughout the two-day festival.

Choy, sitting at the head table among the event chairman and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i president, took to the floor with a commanding presence.

"We need someone to be in charge of the schedule because if (anyone's) late, it affects the entire schedule," Choy said with authority.

At this weekend's event, Choy is in charge of overseeing the first public appearance of the 2007 Narcissus contestants, a fashion show and a first-ever People's Choice Contest for the pageant.

But no job is too big or too small for Choy, who has also committed to help out with a friend's food booth and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i booth.

"I'm going to be helping them do odds and ends," Choy said. "(I'll be) a gopher. I just like to help in any way."

Choy hopes the younger generation also finds satisfaction in volunteerism as she has.

"I just feel that every person should take the opportunity to volunteer and do community service so that it humbles themselves," she said.

At the same time, Choy isn't ready to give up her duties to anyone new, she said with a big smile.

When members suggested Choy find a protege to shadow her and learn her responsibilities in case "I might get hit by a bus," Choy said, laughing, "I said, 'I'm not going anywhere. I enjoy what I do and I'm not going anyplace.' "

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.