Jason Momoa’s Chief of War dives deep into 1700s Hawaii, telling a gripping story of war, betrayal, and prophecy through Indigenous voices and brutal realism.
Jason Momoa Brings Untold Hawaiian History to Life
Canadian audiences now have access to one of the most ambitious Indigenous-led historical dramas ever produced, as Jason Momoa’s Chief of War premieres on Apple TV+. Set in 18th-century Hawaii, the sweeping epic explores the life of Kaʻiana, a real-life chief who played a pivotal role in the blood-soaked unification of the Hawaiian Islands.
Story Set in the Shadow of Colonization and Conflict
The series begins as Kaʻiana, a war-weary nobleman, is reluctantly pulled from exile to defend his people during a time of mounting violence. Against the backdrop of warring kingdoms and rising European influence, he’s both a soldier and a symbol — caught between tradition, Western technology, and a nation on the brink of transformation.
Why This Series Matters Now
In an era where most portrayals of Hawaii still skew toward hula skirts and postcard beaches, Chief of War offers an unapologetically raw counter-narrative. Unlike past depictions by Hollywood, this story is told from the Indigenous perspective — most notably through the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) and a team of cultural experts behind the scenes.
For Canadian viewers increasingly conscious of how Indigenous histories are represented, the series resonates as more than entertainment. It’s a cultural reclamation.
Ten Years in the Making
Momoa, known for Aquaman and Game of Thrones, co-created and co-wrote Chief of War alongside Thomas Pa’a Sibbett. The project, a decade in the making, has been crafted with visible reverence. Momoa’s portrayal of Kaʻiana isn’t a sanitized hero — he’s complex, conflicted, and haunted, much like the history the show seeks to uncover.
A Cinematic Epic With a Brutal Edge
Reviewers with early access to the first two episodes have drawn comparisons to Shogun and Troy, noting its intricate political alliances, choreographed battles, and moral ambiguity. But Chief of War separates itself with its sombre tone and refusal to romanticize the era.
While the pacing is occasionally weighty and the characters numerous, the series rewards viewers with a haunting, layered narrative — one that leaves a lasting impression.
Redefining How Hawaii Is Seen on Screen
The show’s timing is significant. Amid recent backlash toward media that sanitize or distort Indigenous experiences, Chief of War does the opposite — pulling viewers into a world of resistance, resilience, and reckoning.
The series doesn’t invite audiences to escape. It invites them to remember.
Available Now on Apple TV+
The nine-episode season is rolling out weekly through mid-September on Apple TV+. For Canadian viewers, Chief of War is not just an epic drama — it’s an education in what Hawaii was, and what it means to represent that story truthfully.
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