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Chief of War: A Visceral Dive into Hawaiian History


 Chief of War, the nine-episode Apple TV+ miniseries premiering August 1, 2025, is a bold and ambitious historical drama that seeks to reframe the unification of the Hawaiian Islands through an indigenous lens. Created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, the series stars Momoa as Kaʻiana, a warrior and noble from Kauaʻi, who navigates a turbulent era of inter-island warfare and looming external threats at the turn of the 19th century. With its sweeping battle sequences, cultural authenticity, and unflinching portrayal of a pivotal moment in Hawaiian history, Chief of War is both a visual spectacle and a thought-provoking exploration of identity, power, and resistance.

Chief of War, the nine-episode Apple TV+ miniseries premiering August 1, 2025, is a bold and ambitious historical drama that seeks to reframe the unification of the Hawaiian Islands through an indigenous lens. Created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, the series stars Momoa as Kaʻiana, a warrior and noble from Kauaʻi, who navigates a turbulent era of inter-island warfare and looming external threats at the turn of the 19th century. With its sweeping battle sequences, cultural authenticity, and unflinching portrayal of a pivotal moment in Hawaiian history, Chief of War is both a visual spectacle and a thought-provoking exploration of identity, power, and resistance. Set during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the series follows Kaʻiana as he returns to his homeland after gaining fame abroad as “the most famous Hawaiian in the world.” The four major Hawaiian kingdoms are locked in brutal conflict, and Kaʻiana initially joins a campaign to unite the islands under Kamehameha I, only to rebel against this unification at a critical juncture. The narrative, rooted in historical events, unfolds against the backdrop of encroaching Western influence, presenting a nuanced perspective on the internal and external forces that shaped modern Hawaii. Momoa’s commanding presence anchors the series, blending raw physicality with emotional depth to portray a warrior torn between duty and personal conviction. The show’s commitment to authenticity is one of its greatest strengths. Momoa and Sibbett, both of Native Hawaiian descent, collaborated with cultural advisors from Awaiaulu, a Honolulu-based archiving and translation company, to ensure linguistic and historical accuracy. From the construction of war vessels using traditional materials to the depiction of Hawaiian customs and warfare, the series immerses viewers in a world rarely seen on screen. The attention to detail is palpable, particularly in the battle scenes, which are both chaotic and meticulously choreographed, evoking the visceral intensity of films like The Last of the Mohicans. The lush cinematography, filmed in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands to stand in for 18th-century Hawaii, captures the islands’ rugged beauty, though some viewers may notice the occasional geographic disconnect. The ensemble cast, featuring Temuera Morrison as Kahekili, Luciane Buchanan, and Cliff Curtis in a recurring role, delivers strong performances. Morrison, in particular, brings gravitas as a rival chieftain, his chemistry with Momoa echoing their past collaboration in the Aquaman films. However, the sprawling cast sometimes dilutes the focus, with secondary characters like those played by Te Ao o Hinepehinga and Kaina Makua receiving limited development. The narrative occasionally struggles to balance its epic scope with intimate character moments, particularly in the middle episodes, where pacing slows under the weight of historical exposition. Critically, Chief of War has yet to garner reviews on platforms like Metacritic or Rotten Tomatoes, as noted in early web sources, but its cultural significance cannot be overstated. The series avoids the “noble savage” tropes that some feared, as expressed in Reddit discussions, by grounding its story in Hawaiian perspectives and agency. However, the initial marketing’s emphasis on “colonization” as the primary threat has drawn scrutiny, with some historians on social platforms noting that colonization was not an imminent danger during Kamehameha’s time. The series sidesteps this by reframing the threat as “existential,” allowing it to focus on internal divisions while hinting at future Western encroachment. Thematically, the show grapples with the cost of unity and the moral complexities of leadership. Kaʻiana’s rebellion against Kamehameha’s vision raises questions about whether unity can justify bloodshed, a tension that resonates in today’s polarized world. Hans Zimmer’s haunting score, co-produced with James Everingham, underscores these emotional stakes, blending traditional Hawaiian chants with orchestral flourishes to create a soundscape as evocative as the visuals. Despite its strengths, Chief of War is not without flaws. The nine-episode structure feels slightly bloated, with some subplots, such as Kaʻiana’s travels abroad, underexplored. Additionally, the series’ reluctance to fully engage with the political ramifications of its historical setting may frustrate viewers seeking a more explicit critique of colonialism. Yet, its commitment to indigenous storytelling and its refusal to sensationalize violence make it a refreshing departure from typical historical epics. In conclusion, Chief of War is a powerful, if imperfect, addition to the historical drama genre. It succeeds in bringing a lesser-known chapter of Hawaiian history to life with authenticity and heart, driven by Momoa’s passion and Sibbett’s vision. For viewers interested in epic narratives and cultural reclamation, it’s a must-watch, even if it occasionally stumbles under its own ambition.
Chief of War: A Visceral Dive into Hawaiian History

Set during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the series follows Kaʻiana as he returns to his homeland after gaining fame abroad as “the most famous Hawaiian in the world.” The four major Hawaiian kingdoms are locked in brutal conflict, and Kaʻiana initially joins a campaign to unite the islands under Kamehameha I, only to rebel against this unification at a critical juncture. The narrative, rooted in historical events, unfolds against the backdrop of encroaching Western influence, presenting a nuanced perspective on the internal and external forces that shaped modern Hawaii. Momoa’s commanding presence anchors the series, blending raw physicality with emotional depth to portray a warrior torn between duty and personal conviction.


The show’s commitment to authenticity is one of its greatest strengths. Momoa and Sibbett, both of Native Hawaiian descent, collaborated with cultural advisors from Awaiaulu, a Honolulu-based archiving and translation company, to ensure linguistic and historical accuracy. From the construction of war vessels using traditional materials to the depiction of Hawaiian customs and warfare, the series immerses viewers in a world rarely seen on screen. The attention to detail is palpable, particularly in the battle scenes, which are both chaotic and meticulously choreographed, evoking the visceral intensity of films like The Last of the Mohicans. The lush cinematography, filmed in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands to stand in for 18th-century Hawaii, captures the islands’ rugged beauty, though some viewers may notice the occasional geographic disconnect.

Chief of War: A Visceral Dive into Hawaiian History
Chief of War: A Visceral Dive into Hawaiian History

The ensemble cast, featuring Temuera Morrison as Kahekili, Luciane Buchanan, and Cliff Curtis in a recurring role, delivers strong performances. Morrison, in particular, brings gravitas as a rival chieftain, his chemistry with Momoa echoing their past collaboration in the Aquaman films. However, the sprawling cast sometimes dilutes the focus, with secondary characters like those played by Te Ao o Hinepehinga and Kaina Makua receiving limited development. The narrative occasionally struggles to balance its epic scope with intimate character moments, particularly in the middle episodes, where pacing slows under the weight of historical exposition.

Chief of War: A Visceral Dive into Hawaiian History
Chief of War: A Visceral Dive into Hawaiian History

Critically, Chief of War has yet to garner reviews on platforms like Metacritic or Rotten Tomatoes, as noted in early web sources, but its cultural significance cannot be overstated. The series avoids the “noble savage” tropes that some feared, as expressed in Reddit discussions, by grounding its story in Hawaiian perspectives and agency. However, the initial marketing’s emphasis on “colonization” as the primary threat has drawn scrutiny, with some historians on social platforms noting that colonization was not an imminent danger during Kamehameha’s time. The series sidesteps this by reframing the threat as “existential,” allowing it to focus on internal divisions while hinting at future Western encroachment.


Thematically, the show grapples with the cost of unity and the moral complexities of leadership. Kaʻiana’s rebellion against Kamehameha’s vision raises questions about whether unity can justify bloodshed, a tension that resonates in today’s polarized world. Hans Zimmer’s haunting score, co-produced with James Everingham, underscores these emotional stakes, blending traditional Hawaiian chants with orchestral flourishes to create a soundscape as evocative as the visuals.

Despite its strengths, Chief of War is not without flaws. The nine-episode structure feels slightly bloated, with some subplots, such as Kaʻiana’s travels abroad, underexplored. Additionally, the series’ reluctance to fully engage with the political ramifications of its historical setting may frustrate viewers seeking a more explicit critique of colonialism. Yet, its commitment to indigenous storytelling and its refusal to sensationalize violence make it a refreshing departure from typical historical epics.

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In conclusion, Chief of War is a powerful, if imperfect, addition to the historical drama genre. It succeeds in bringing a lesser-known chapter of Hawaiian history to life with authenticity and heart, driven by Momoa’s passion and Sibbett’s vision. For viewers interested in epic narratives and cultural reclamation, it’s a must-watch, even if it occasionally stumbles under its own ambition.

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