Making Waves: Inspiring Transformational Leadership Through Positivity, Persistence, and Aloha

by Davin Kazama

Some of the best leaders don’t start out wanting the role—they step up because they see a problem and refuse to ignore it.

In Making Waves: Inspiring Transformational Leadership Through Positivity, Persistence, and Aloha, Davin Kazama redefines leadership for those who never saw themselves as leaders. With deep humility and personal insight, he shares lessons from his own journey, from navigating business challenges to the transformative experience of fatherhood.

This book explores the power of leadership in service to others—how individuals who lead with authenticity, service, and integrity create lasting impact. Drawing from his upbringing in Hawaiʻi and the aloha spirit, Kazama illustrates how true leadership is not about dominance or showmanship, but about resilience, responsibility, and community.

Through engaging storytelling and practical wisdom, Making Waves offers a roadmap for anyone ready to lead in their own way. Whether you’re a young entrepreneur, a mid-career professional questioning your leadership potential, or a seasoned executive looking for a fresh perspective, this book will help you harness your strengths, bet on yourself, and step forward with confidence.

Genres: Nonfiction

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Maria Paula Castellanos Monroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear

It is a book that can be read in a short time, yet it offers a lot to think about. I found it clear, thoughtful, and very well written. The structure makes it easy to follow, and the storytelling keeps the tone personal and approachable rather than instructional.
I found the content practical and encouraging. It’s the kind of book that gently pushes you to think about how your actions affect others and how small choices can create meaningful change.

[Lisa Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davin Kazama’s Making Waves is a refreshing and deeply inspiring antidote to the traditional, top down models of leadership. This book beautifully redefines what it means to lead, not as a quest for authority, but as a natural extension of service, integrity, and positive influence. Rooted in the profound wisdom of the Aloha spirit, Kazama’s message resonates with a universal truth: the most impactful leaders are often those who step forward not from ambition, but from a sense of responsibility.

Kazama’s personal journey, woven with humility and engaging storytelling, forms the compelling backbone of this guide. From navigating complex business challenges to embracing the transformative role of fatherhood, he illustrates how leadership is a continuous practice, not a title. His upbringing in Hawai‘i infuses the book with a unique and powerful philosophy, that true strength lies in community, resilience, and a genuine care for others. This “Aloha” approach reframes leadership as an act of stewardship and connection, making it accessible to anyone with a desire to make a positive difference.

The book is both motivational and immensely practical. It serves as a compassionate roadmap for the reluctant leader, the aspiring entrepreneur, or the seasoned professional seeking renewal. Kazama offers actionable wisdom on harnessing one’s inherent strengths, betting on oneself, and leading with authentic confidence that inspires genuine followership. The emphasis on positivity and persistence is not presented as naive optimism, but as a strategic, resilient mindset for overcoming adversity.

Making Waves is more than a leadership manual; it is a call to lead from the heart. It empowers readers to recognize their own potential to create ripples of positive change, regardless of their position. For anyone who believes leadership is about elevating others and building community, this book is a beacon of hope and practical guidance. A truly uplifting and transformative read.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Refreshing Take on Authentic Leadership...

Davin Kazama's Making Waves: Inspiring Transformational Leadership Through Positivity, Persistence, and Aloha feels less like a leadership manual and more like a conversation with someone who actually gets it. There's this warmth running through the whole thing—call it aloha, call it lived wisdom—that makes you rethink what leading even means. He's not interested in the usual stuff: corner offices, authority, climbing ladders. Instead, he's asking you to see it differently. What if leadership was really just about showing up for people? About empathy, about sticking with it when things get hard, about actual connection.

The thing Kazama keeps coming back to is that nobody's born knowing how to lead. You become a leader when something inside you—your sense of purpose, maybe—finds the guts to act. Making Waves somehow manages to be gentle and fierce at once. It's for anyone trying to figure out how to lead without losing themselves in the process, how to do it with honesty and heart still intact.

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a grounded and uplifting exploration of leadership rooted in humility and community. Through personal anecdotes spanning business challenges and fatherhood, Kazama reframes leadership as service, authenticity, and resilience, not domination or exhibition. His Hawaiian upbringing and the ethos of aloha infuse the narrative with warmth and sincerity, while emphasizing responsibility and collective strength over self-promotion. The book delivers practical wisdom through storytelling, offering a relatable and credible roadmap for aspiring leaders—whether entrepreneurs just starting out, mid-career professionals, or seasoned executives in search of renewed perspective. Making Waves is direct, actionable, and meaningful, encouraging readers to embrace their leadership potential and “bet on yourself” with integrity, perseverance, and genuine connection.

[L Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing leadership book!

I recently attended a Leadership workshop where this book was highly recommended. I bought it right away, and it didn’t take me more than two weeks to finish it.

It’s a very interesting book that explores leadership from a perspective of empathy, authenticity, and dedication to others.

The way the author approaches the topic makes it easy for the reader to connect from the very beginning. She not only explains the theory and reasons why this is the best kind of leadership, but also shares real-life examples and personal experiences that make every concept clearer and more applicable.

Honestly, it’s one of the best recommendations I’ve ever received, and that’s why I’d like to recommend it today as well. If you’re looking for a book with great energy and practical tools to become a better leader every day, this is definitely one of them.

[Ivana S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Waves is not the typical leadership book and that’s exactly why it resonates. Davin Kazama writes with heart, humility, and authenticity, redefining leadership as something rooted in service, community, and resilience not ego. Readers who never saw themselves as leaders will find encouragement and validation here. Kazama’s personal journey, shaped by the aloha spirit and fatherhood, brings a grounded, soulful perspective that’s both inspiring and relatable. The storytelling is honest and engaging, and the lessons are practical without being preachy. You need just courage, compassion, and a willingness to step up when it counts. Whether you're starting out or recalibrating your path, this read invites you to lead with purpose and positivity. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about noise. It's about making ripples that last.

[Andrea Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an upbeat book that is like a pep talk on how anyone can be a leader. The author draws upon his experience in business, his father’s success in business and his talented daughters’ monumental efforts to get funding and support of surfing as a sport in Hawaiian high schools.

I wish this book talked more in detail about how he built his businesses. Or about how aloha and his values came up against challenges in the non- Hawaiian business world.

Overall, I liked the positive feel of this book. The author is able to be very successful in business by staying true to his values and upbeat attitude. Some people might look at positivity as naive or weak, but he shows how it can be a place of strength.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book never thought of himself as a leader, but when he felt that he had no choice but to assume the role, he stepped up. However, he wasn’t satisfied with leading in conventional ways. Instead, he forged his own path and found success with it. Now, he would like to teach you all that he learned along the way.

If you are being called upon to lead in the business world, this book will be useful to you. Some of the lessons contained in these pages are applicable in other areas of life as well. If you read it, you will learn to be an authentic, empathetic leader who does the best they can for the individuals beneath them. Looking at leadership through a fresh perspective can be invaluable, so this is a book that is not to be missed.

[CarlitasFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an excellent book
Anyone can be a leader. Sometimes, the one who calls himself or herself a leader is not as good as the one who doesn't consider himself or herself as a leader. This is one of the ideas that caught my attention from the book “Making waves” by Davin Kazama. Here, he redefines the concept of leader and everything connected to leadership. He assures that leadership is devoted to service not to dominance or showmanship. He shares deep and meaningful insights about this topic through an engaging narrative that will show people the qualities that a good leader has and make him or her incredible.
Davin has penned an inspiring and teaching read where he shares his experiences and wisdom about leadership. It’s truly recommended.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Community, resilience, humility, and service are the keys I have learned from this book, and they moved my heart. This book is a fantastic leadership guide, the fantastic side of it is that it breaks the traditional vision of leadership. It introduces humanity as the core and shows how connecting in a real way with people will make you the best leader. The way the book is written is majestic; the storytelling abilities of the author are just perfect to touch your mind and heart, making you willing to reshape your way of leading and to understand that we can all be leaders. The aloha vibe is the cherry on top of this book; Hawaiian mindset will be a great part of this journey. Aloha! Enjoy the book.

[Lance Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t the best book on leadership, but I’m sure it’s not the worst.

The principles presented didn’t have anything new or groundbreaking. Apart from using “Aloha” as a novel way of saying lead with kindness, respect, and humility. But again, the concept itself has been embraced by many before Kazama rebranded it.
There were some quotes worth thinking on for a while and this book has the potential to be uplifting and empowering for some. However, there were moments where the anecdotes were half-baked, outdated, or contradictory.

I’ve been in a mindset rut, and I hoped that reading this would help pull me out of it-offer new tools to reignite the leader I know is within me, but it didn’t leave me feeling nearly as inspired as I expected it to.

[Camilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enhace your life

I really loved this book, and it delivers a very important message. It opens your eyes to how everything we do in life our decisions and the way we talk to ourselves has a direct impact on the results we achieve and on the way we live.

Living in a positive way is more important than ever today, but at the same time, it is a challenging process for human beings. We rarely speak kindly to ourselves, and we often underestimate the power of our inner dialogue. This book invites the reader to reflect on this reality and to make conscious changes in the way we think and act.

A great book, highly recommended for anyone who wants to improve their relationship with themselves and live a more fulfilling life.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Making Waves" is an inspiring book written by Kazama. In it, the author explores leadership and how people, even without aspiring to be leaders, excelled in this role and became top leaders in their field.
I really liked the author's approach, as he shares lessons from his own journey through real-life stories, from facing business challenges to the transformative experience of fatherhood. I believe his life lessons and insights on the topic can be easily put into practice.
I encourage all readers who are leaders or aspire to be one to read this engaging and an easy-to-read book. I highly recommend it!

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year I completed 5 years in my job and with that came the responsibility of leading a team of 4 people, for me that wasn't something I wanted or requested for, but as a responsible person I took this challenge and started leading without really knowing what I was doing, that's why I found this book. This read changed the way I saw leadership, I understand that leading is more than being visible and dominant, it is community and resilience, it is understanding what your team needs and working hand to hand to meet the expectations. It is a book that reinvents the term leadership, inspired in the author's Hawaiian culture and the aloha spirit.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Waves by Davin Kazama is a really motivating and interesting book, in my opinion. It's not the typical leadership book filled with theory but rather an honest reflection on what it means to lead with service and authenticity. I appreciated how the author combines his personal experience with clear messages about the importance of acting with empathy and responsibility.

If you don't really see yourself as a natural-born leader but still want to make a difference or leave your mark, I honestly think this book is going to be incredibly helpful. It's a book that makes you think, gives you a boost of optimism, and best of all, it's easy to read.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! It is exactly what I needed. I am not a typical leader in my job, but I kind of got pushed into more of a leadership role than I had ever been. This book talks about all different types of leadership and different aspect of leadership. He makes some great life points and not everything is about leadership, but how to have a positive life and a life you want to live! This is a great book for any aspect of your life and any situation you are facing in your life. It is inspiring. I want to buy it for everyone!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it focuses on service, humility, and showing up for others. I believe that the author’s background and Hawaiian values give the book a warm and genuine tone that is different from typical business leadership books.
I think that the stories are heartfelt, especially the ones tied to fatherhood and personal growth. There are good lessons about resilience, community, and staying positive even when things get tough.
This book is perfect for people who don’t feel like natural leaders but still want to make a difference in their work or family.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting approach to the idea of developing leadership. Through the use of story-telling and real life events, the book is writing in a way designed to show that leaders can be individuals that embody the "Ohana" and "Aloha" spirit and to promote leadership from not only at the front (like most books), but also from within the group. Be positive with the individuals in the group to make the group function more about togetherness than competing and hostility.

It is worth a second look. I received a copy via a Goodreads giveaway.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leading with purpose and humanity

While reading this book, I found myself thinking that leading does not always mean giving orders or having all the answers. Many times, it is more about the attitude we choose when facing problems and the way we treat the people around us. The idea of moving forward with positivity and persistence reminded me that even in difficult moments it is possible to create a positive impact. This happens when we act with respect, empathy, and consistency between what we think, what we say, and what we do every day.

[Mayra Guayara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust.

This book presents an intimate and human view of leadership, designed for people who never saw themselves as leaders. David Kazama shares his personal experience, from professional challenges to parenthood, to show that leadership is not about commanding, but serving. Through the spirit of aloha, the author highlights values such as authenticity, perseverance, responsibility, and commitment to the community.

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Making Waves by Davin Kazama without really knowing what to expect, and honestly, I almost put it down after the first pages. But something about the tone made me slow down and actually listen. What stayed with me was the idea that leadership doesn’t have to be loud or aggressive to be strong. The focus on positivity made me think of times when a calm and encouraging leader helped me feel more confident at work.

[AMR CAMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

Making Waves is a book that conveys inspiration, excitement and positivity. The book contains several concepts about leadership and combines those concepts with the Aloha spirit. It contains a focus on; compassion, persistence, and impact.
This is an uplifting, real and authentic book for anyone who wants to be a positive influence and lead without sacrificing their humanity. It is a quick and easy to read, inspirational book.

[Lina Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true meaning of leadership

This is one of those books that motivates, teaches, and with which I completely agree. It gives leadership a completely different meaning, a more human, warmer sense, and finally, the meaning it should be. Being a leader entails a commitment that many people don't understand. It's a book I highly recommend.

[Almiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book’s focus on leadership as a service to others rather than as a position of power. The author shares personal experiences in leadership and explores its true meaning. This is an inspirational leadership guidebook for people who really want to make a difference. I am giving this book five out of five stars.

[Daniel Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

I really enjoyed this book, as it offers an interesting and innovative perspective on modern leadership. More than a formula for success for leaders, it's a sincere approach to leading authentically and with compassion. It's undoubtedly a great book well worth reading to better understand how to be a better leader in the future.

[Pipe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked reading Making Waves by Kazama because it feels calm and positive. The book talks about leadership with kindness, patience, and the spirit of aloha. While reading, I remembered a past job where a small smile from a leader changed my whole day. The stories are simple and inspiring. This book made me want to be more positive and patient with people around me.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think skimming this for bits of “Wave Wisdom” to strike awareness and then returning to this makes as a reference for overcoming specific situations is how I will use this book. Reading it is endearing but also a bit cumbersome. Good advice overall.

[C J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great tale mixed with familial background stories on how his drive to succeed was formed. interesting tidbits about other influential business leaders too. Great read for those in leadership roles, there is no I in team.

I recieved my copy through Goodreads Giveaway.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯💯💯💯💯

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers real-world leadership wisdom forged under pressure, giving today’s leaders the character, clarity, and courage they need to succeed when it matters most.