Celebrating Hawaii's Remarkable Women: Nancy Wo's behind-the-scenes impact
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Throughout March, KHON has highlighted the incredible women making a difference in Hawaii's communities. The celebration culminates next week with the announcement of the 2025 Remarkable Woman award.
Remarkable Women 2025
Jodi Leong shares the story of Nancy Wo, a woman whose quiet leadership and dedication have raised millions for local causes, making a significant impact behind the scenes.
Wo, who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, has coordinated high-profile fundraisers supporting a variety of important causes. She has worked tirelessly to raise funds for events such as the 50th Anniversary of Title IX fundraiser for the University of Hawaii Athletics Department, the Laugh Out Cancer event for Queen's Medical Center and a casino night benefiting the Children's Alliance.
Her friends describe her as a powerhouse, always ready to elevate any cause she supports.
'She sees the need in the community and just wants to put her head down and help as much as she can,' said her daughter, Ally Wo.
Malindi Fickle, a longtime friend, agreed, saying, 'Nancy is such a powerhouse. She takes everything she does and elevates it. She rallies everybody around the cause.'Eileen Wacker, another friend, added, 'I was really impressed by how quietly Nancy works. When she swings, she makes a very, very big impact.'
Nancy Wo's passion for community service stems from her late mother, an oncology nurse who dedicated her life to helping others.
'She would always help whoever needed help and never turned anyone away,' Wo said. 'I learned from a very young age to be generous with the heart. She always received so much back—not in terms of money or gifts, but her heart was always full.'
Now, Wo is passing on this legacy of volunteerism to her three children, teaching them the importance of giving back.
'I'm really proud of them, and I want them to continue it,' Wo said.
Her latest initiative, called Volunteer Ally, is a project she co-created with her daughter Ally.
The platform helps streamline the search for volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations, making it easier for others to give their time and support to causes in need.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
Nancy Wo's work continues to inspire, proving that sometimes the most powerful impact comes from those working quietly behind the scenes.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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