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| Jason Momoa stars in Chief of War. |
Today, a bit of history is being made with the debut of the series, Chief of War, on AppleTV-plus.
Based on true events, Chief of War follows warrior Ka‘iana, a real-life historical figure, who is portrayed by Jason Momoa, as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century.
The series is a passion project for Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, both of whom share Native Hawaiian heritage, aiming to present a historically accurate portrayal of Hawaiian unification and the subsequent colonization from an indigenous perspective. This is a crucial step in countering the often Western-centric narratives of history.
FYI: 'Chief of War' is being streamed on AppleTV Plus.
“This is definitely my dream. I mean to talk about representation. I’ve never had the opportunity to play anything like an ancestor,” Momoa tells Hawaii News Now.
“This is definitely my dream. I mean to talk about representation. I’ve never had the opportunity to play anything like an ancestor,” Momoa tells Hawaii News Now.
The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast led by Momoa alongside Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes.
The series emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating Hawaiian traditions, language, and history, offering a platform for native Hawaiians to reclaim their narrative. It highlights the impact of colonization and the struggles faced by the Hawaiian people, while also showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
The nine-episode epic delves into Hawaiian customs, hierarchies, belief systems, and the spiritual connection to the land and sea. The show features the Olelo Hawaii language and aims to authentically represent Hawaiian culture, including the roles of women and spiritual leaders.
Chief of War mostly features characters speaking another language, in this case ‘Olelo Hawai‘i, and subtitled in English, at least in its first two episodes. (No English is spoken until Episode 2 when “pale skins” return to one of the islands.)
“Jason and I have never intended on this just staying a singular season, but we do know the responsibility that comes with this,” Sibbet tells Tribl.Liv. “This is a story that’s never been told, and I don’t mean just the story. It is a culture, a language that has never been exposed to the world.
“We understand that there’s no demographic for it, there’s no market for it yet. But this is a universal story. This is not actually pitched as a Hawaiian story. It’s a really good story that just takes place in Hawaii. So let the culture be nuanced, let the costumes be beautiful texture. Let the language be something that you feel and experience for the first time.
“And if audiences can respond to that, then we absolutely will tell more, because the story only gets bigger. The story only gets better," says Sibbet.
“This is everything I’ve ever wanted to do, to do something for my culture and my heritage,” Momoa tells AOL. “To be honest, guys, I’ve never seen anything quite like this show.”
The series emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating Hawaiian traditions, language, and history, offering a platform for native Hawaiians to reclaim their narrative. It highlights the impact of colonization and the struggles faced by the Hawaiian people, while also showcasing their rich cultural heritage.
The nine-episode epic delves into Hawaiian customs, hierarchies, belief systems, and the spiritual connection to the land and sea. The show features the Olelo Hawaii language and aims to authentically represent Hawaiian culture, including the roles of women and spiritual leaders.
Chief of War mostly features characters speaking another language, in this case ‘Olelo Hawai‘i, and subtitled in English, at least in its first two episodes. (No English is spoken until Episode 2 when “pale skins” return to one of the islands.)
“Jason and I have never intended on this just staying a singular season, but we do know the responsibility that comes with this,” Sibbet tells Tribl.Liv. “This is a story that’s never been told, and I don’t mean just the story. It is a culture, a language that has never been exposed to the world.
“We understand that there’s no demographic for it, there’s no market for it yet. But this is a universal story. This is not actually pitched as a Hawaiian story. It’s a really good story that just takes place in Hawaii. So let the culture be nuanced, let the costumes be beautiful texture. Let the language be something that you feel and experience for the first time.
“And if audiences can respond to that, then we absolutely will tell more, because the story only gets bigger. The story only gets better," says Sibbet.
“This is everything I’ve ever wanted to do, to do something for my culture and my heritage,” Momoa tells AOL. “To be honest, guys, I’ve never seen anything quite like this show.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge. Now on BlueSky.
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