Date

5-20-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Michael Grayston

Keywords

praxis, discipleship, Hawaiian leadership, young adult ministry, cultural values, spiritual maturity, indigenous theology

Disciplines

Educational Leadership

Abstract

In Hawaiʻi, where economic strain and rising suicide rates continue to impact young adults, the challenges facing emerging leaders extend beyond ministry models to issues of identity, belonging, and survival. This praxis project addressed the leadership gap among young adults (ages 20–40) in the Keaukaha community of Hawaiʻi Island. While Hale Pule Ke Ola Hou demonstrated strong engagement from elders and children, the absence of young adult leaders revealed deeper challenges in generational continuity, cultural connection, and ministry relevance. Grounded in biblical discipleship and Hawaiian cultural values, this project proposed a contextualized, organic model of leadership development integrating relational presence, ʻāina-based practices, and Spirit-led formation. Using qualitative methods—including interviews, surveys, and ethnographic observation—the study co-discerned pathways of leadership formation with local kahu and kūpuna. Anchored in the Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ) framework and guided by transformational leadership and indigenous wisdom, the initiative emphasized relational mentoring, storytelling, and communal gatherings. Key outputs included a mobile discipleship app, a kūpuna-to-kea mentorship pipeline, and an ʻohana-centered storytelling framework. Outcomes included increased spiritual maturity, cultural rootedness, and leadership resilience among emerging adults, with ripple effects into family, church, and community life. The model offers a replicable framework for Hawaiian and Pacific faith communities seeking to integrate biblical discipleship with indigenous values.

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