Fifth time was the charm for Julianne Chu when she was crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2018 in November; she had been a top-five runner-up four years in a row. Chu will represent Hawaii at the Miss USA pageant, May 21, in Shreveport, La.

A win would make her the first Chinese-American to hold the title.

Chu was born in Massachusetts when her parents were in medical school. She has been a Hawaii resident since she was 2, graduated from Kalani High School and then the University of Hawaii-Manoa, earning a degree in elementary education. She won the title of Miss Hawaii Teen USA in 2010.

Chu, 26, is a certified special education teacher who teaches second-graders at Kahala Elementary School.

JOHN BERGER: Persistence paid off for you but what kept you competing when a lot of people would have given up?

JULIANNE CHU: I liked the challenge. Even though it could be really stressful it was nice to push myself physically and mentally and just really get out there. I think because of doing that I’m who I am now.

JB: What is something about you that might surprise people?

JC: I am a survivor of domestic abuse. It took me eight years to tell the world about it, but what’s really awesome is that through my website I’m telling the story now, and people are responding back and they’re sharing their stories. I’ve gone through a lot of things, and I’m willing to share them with people and help inspire them that they can get through them too.

JB: What’s your biggest accomplishment since winning the title?

JC: I’ve published a childrens’ book, “Curly the Dachshund.” ‘Wiener dogs’ are my favorite — I’m the owner of three miniature dachshunds — and so I took my passion for teaching and my love of dachshunds and created a book for children. Curly has a curly tail, which makes him different from most dachshunds, and he gets teased but learns to love himself for who he is. A portion of the proceeds benefit Women Speak Out, a local organization that offers grassroots initiatives to reduce dating violence.

JB: What’s next on your calendar?

JC: I’m having a fundraiser and send-off party on Saturday at District Nightclub, from 6 to 9 p.m.

JB: Where would you like to be in five years?

JC: Teaching. I wanted to be a doctor (like my parents) at one point but followed my heart and went into teaching. And I want to have published another children’s book.

Reach John Berger at jberger@staradvertiser.com.