ABOUT US

Hawaii Leadership Residency (HLR) is a program by Aloha With Action (AWA), a Hawaiian nonprofit 501(c)3.

HLR exists to activate young leaders for their global gospel adventure by engaging them in immersive discipleship, hands-on service, and intentional community on the island of Kaua’i.

See our landing page for more info on what we do and our beliefs. See below to learn about our team and key relationships.

OUR TEAM

  • Eric and Lyn Taylor

    FOUNDERS

    Originally from South Africa, the Taylors are the visionaries behind Makanalani and the Residency. After raising their family in Irvine, California and leaving Corporate America in the early 2000’s, the journey of building Makanalani began. Read more about how we started.

  • Noah

    RESIDENCY DIRECTOR

    Noah’s heart burns for our precious Lord Jesus, and he wishes to see the hearts of Gen Z ignited by the flame of His Spirit. Noah oversees the sheep flocks and farm service, directs programming, and collaborates with Genesis Collective on our teachings. He has experience in media and film, was an NCAA athlete, and studied philosophy at Wheaton College. 

  • Calista

    RESIDENCY COORDINATOR

    Cal is profoundly motivated by Kingdom-hospitality and empowering young women. She is a skilled baker, co-leading our production of sourdough and farm-fresh products for markets. She studied psychology at Vanguard University and loves to surf and hike.

  • Lydia

    RESIDENCY COORDINATOR

    Lydia has a heart for worshipping the Lord through service and mentorship. She served at a church plant in O’ahu before coming to Kauai. She has a background in camp ministry, mentoring, farming, and entrepreneurship; and is thrilled to be using all of these experiences to serve as a coordinator. She co-leads production of our farm-to-table products.

  • STAFF-ALAKA'I

    Seth

    STAFF-ALAKA’I

    Seth’s heart is for Jesus and the simple gospel. He is a Staff-Alaka’i, a missionary for the next year at HLR. Seth mentors the residents through small groups and teaching, and oversees citrus and farm service. He is also an artist with the account @burnallidols, where he evangelizes through drawings of Bible stories. Stay tuned for ways to support Seth in his mission!

MAKANALANI KIDS— FOUNDING

HLR proceeded from the “Makanalani Internship Program” and remains partnered with Makanalani, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides incredible free-of-cost camp experiences to the underprivileged and to island youth. Out support of their vision and service, we partner with Makanalani by providing volunteer help from our residents.

At Makanalani, our residents are provided the opportunity to lead Kid’s camps, tend the gorgeous land (‘Āina), harvest fruit, and care for animals.

GENESIS COLLECTIVE— GLOBAL

We have an apostolic partnership with the Genesis Collective, a group of Global adventurers, Gospel storytellers, and Jesus-community creators spanning dozens of churches that sow into the nations.

On God’s timing, Eric and Lyn Taylor (HLR founders) met Chris and Meryl Weinand (Genesis Founders) and together they dreamt to augment the program with robust teachings and a discipleship culture. It was through Genesis that current staff, Noah and Cal, landed at HLR.

The collective collaborates with HLR to craft curriculum and send in families to pour into residents. Most weeks of teaching are led by GC leaders. In turn, residents are connected to a global network– pastors, church planters, and marketplace leaders with Biblical motives. Residents have access to this network for the rest of their lives: to keep up with mentors, to travel on mission, and to get connected with careers or living situations.

AMEN PODCAST— LOCAL

Amen Podcast is a 501(c)3 non-profit religious organization with the mission to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and how it applies to everyday life. Amen is led by Alex and Lokelani Wilson, who also host House Church on island. Their hope is that the preaching of God’s word will transform the believer and convict the sinner unto repentance and salvation.

The Wilsons visit from the other side of the island to teach and support the mission of HLR. They model a beautiful picture of: family, being rooted in a local church, and being a disciple of Jesus in Kaua’i.