NEED TO KNOW
- Chief of Warfare tells the true story of the legendary Hawaiian chief, Kaʻiana
- The Apple TV+ present stars Jason Momoa, who can also be a author, co-creator and government producer
- Momoa, who was born in Honolulu, stated enjoying his ancestors was “scary and thrilling”
Chief of Warfare is a private mission for Jason Momoa.
Not solely does the Honolulu-born actor star in Apple TV+’s new historic struggle epic, however he’s additionally the collection’ co-creator, co-writer, government producer and director of the finale.
In Chief of Warfare, Momoa performs Kaʻiana, a legendary determine in Hawaiian historical past. He was the primary chief to journey past the islands and lived throughout the turbulent time when Kamehameha the Nice fought to unify the Hawaiian islands underneath his rule.
Kaʻiana fought alongside Kamehameha earlier than ultimately turning on him, with Kaʻiana in the end not residing to see the unification. When he died at age 40, Kaʻiana was the “most well-known Hawaiian on this planet,” based on Historical past.com.
At a Chief of Warfare premiere occasion in July 2025, Momoa informed ipromiseyoumedia how he seems like “this entire factor has chosen me in a manner, like that is my future.”
“I don’t know how I obtained to all this, however we’re right here, and I am very grateful,” he continued. “I am residing my dream doing what I like to do. To play my ancestors is such a accountability. It’s scary and thrilling.”
Chief of Warfare is a dramatic and bloody epic, however is it a real story? This is all the things to know concerning the historic occasions Chief of Warfare is predicated on.
Is Chief of Warfare based mostly on a real story?
Sure, Chief of Warfare is impressed by actual historic occasions.
The present takes place on the finish of the 18th century, when the 4 kingdoms of the Hawaiian islands — Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi — had been at struggle with each other, as Kamehameha tried to unify them underneath his rule.
Throughout the identical interval, explorers started encroaching on the islands, together with Captain James Cook dinner and British fur dealer John Meares, whose arrival is depicted in episode 2.
Was the Chief of Warfare character Kaʻiana an actual particular person?
Sure, Kaʻiana was an actual particular person.
Kaʻiana was chief of Kauaʻi and the primary Hawaiian chief to depart the islands. In 1787, he accompanied British fur dealer Meares on a visit to China, the Philippines and the Alaskan coast, based on Historical past.com.
Meares described Kaʻiana’s look, writing, “He was close to six toes 5 inches in stature, and the muscular type of his limbs was of an Herculean look.”
Kaʻiana returned house in 1788, sharing his worldly tales with the opposite Hawaiians, together with Kamehameha.
Whereas researching for the collection, Momoa found he’s a descendant of Kaʻiana. “That was one thing we came across, so it was fantastic that it simply sort of fell into place,” co-creator Thomas Paʻa Sibbett informed Ka Wai Ola in August 2025.
What occurred to Kaʻiana from Chief of Warfare?
In actual life, Kaʻiana was killed at about age 40 in 1795, throughout the Battle of Nuʻuanu, during which Kamehameha invaded O‘ahu.
Kaʻiana was one among Kamehameha’s most noble warriors, however they ultimately noticed one another as enemies. In keeping with Historical past.com, there are totally different accounts about why they parted methods, together with Kaʻiana being excluded from a struggle council and switching sides to affix his cousin, Kalanikūpule.
Kaʻiana fought towards Kamehameha, and based on Biography’s web site, Kaʻiana died early within the battle. Nonetheless, Kamehameha was victorious, and his triumph would result in the unification of the islands 15 years later.
What language is spoken in Chief of Warfare?
The dialogue in Chief of Warfare is usually spoken in ʻOlelo Hawai‘i, the indigenous language of the islands.
When discussing the choice to have the characters converse in ‘Olelo Hawai‘i, Sibbett informed TIME, “The reality is, to listen to and to know somebody’s language is to know the folks and the way in which they assume.”
“It was integral,” he added.
Momoa joked that he was “most likely the worst” at talking it, “however we labored actually laborious.”
