Choi, one of six Australians in the field, shot a four-under-par 68 on a rainy and breezy Thursday (Friday AEST) to be joint 10th.
Her blemish-free round included birdies on holes six, seven, 15 and 18.
Compatriots Grace Kim (69), Steph Kyriacou (70) and Gabriela Ruffels (71) are also under the card, while Cassie Porter and Hannah Green (both 73) have work to to do reach the weekend rounds.
A Lim Kim shot a seven-under 65 at Hoakalei Country Club to take the first-round lead.
The 2024 tournament winner birdied Nos. 15-17 and closed her bogey-free morning round with a par on the par-5 18th.
"Today rain is back and forth, back and forth, so tough conditions. But it was really good play," Kim said.
The 30-year-old has three LPGA Tour victories to her name, also winning the 2020 US Women's Open and the 2025 Tournament of Champions.
In the afternoon, fellow South Korean Ina Yoon pulled even with Kim at seven under with a birdie on the par-4 third hole — her 12th of the day — before dropping back with a bogey on the par-4 sixth. She parred the final three for a 66, while China's Yu Liu (66) closed her late afternoon round with a birdie on the par-3 ninth.
Second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul was at 67 with Polly Mack, Michelle Zhang, Auston Kim, Maja Stark and Chanettee Wannasaen.
Hawaii native Allisen Corpuz (68) is one of 11 players from the recent Solheim Cup in the field.
The tournament leads to a month of tournaments in Asia, starting with the Buick LPGA Shanghai between October 15-18.
With AAP.
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