Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Chief of War, which premieres on Apple TV+ with Jason Momoa’s deeply personal historical epic about Hawaiian unification!
Premiering on Apple TV+ on August 1, 2025, Chief of War is a nine-episode historical drama miniseries created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa. The series will debut with the first two episodes on August 1, followed by new episodes every Friday through September 19. Each episode runs approximately 50-60 minutes, bringing the epic story of Hawaiian unification to life with stunning production values.
Based on true events, Chief of War follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawaii from an indigenous point of view. Set against the stunning landscapes of Hawaii, the series chronicles warrior Ka’iana as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century. The tone combines epic historical drama with intimate cultural storytelling, creating a deeply personal project for Momoa who shares native Hawaiian heritage with co-creator Thomas Pa’a Sibbett.
Uniting the Islands Against Colonial Threat
With Hawaii’s four kingdoms divided by war, the ferocious warrior Kaʻiana embarks on an epic mission to unite his people as an existential threat looms. The story begins at the turn of the late 18th century, following a Hawaiian war chief who joins a bloody campaign to unite the warring islands in order to save them from the threat of colonization.
The narrative explores the complex political and cultural dynamics of pre-colonial Hawaii, showing how indigenous leaders had to navigate internal conflicts while recognizing the growing danger posed by Western expansion. The series presents the unification not as conquest but as a desperate attempt to preserve Hawaiian sovereignty and culture.
Ka’iana: The Warrior’s Burden
Jason Momoa stars as Ka’iana, delivering what appears to be a deeply personal performance as the Hawaiian warrior tasked with unifying the islands. Momoa also serves as co-creator, writer, and executive producer, making this project a passion project that draws on his own Native Hawaiian heritage.
The role allows Momoa to showcase both his physical presence and dramatic range, portraying a leader who must balance the brutal necessities of war with the cultural responsibility of preserving his people’s way of life against colonial threats.
King Kamehameha I: The Great Unifier
Siua Ikale’o portrays King Kamehameha I, the legendary Hawaiian king who historically unified the Hawaiian Islands. His performance captures the political acumen and warrior spirit that made Kamehameha one of history’s most successful indigenous leaders during a period of intense colonial pressure.
The character represents the complex challenge of maintaining traditional Hawaiian values while adapting to new military technologies and political realities brought by contact with Western powers.
Queen Kaahumanu: Power Behind the Throne
Luciane Buchanan stars as Kaahumanu, the powerful queen who played a crucial role in Hawaiian politics during this transformative period. Her portrayal shows how Hawaiian women wielded significant political influence and how they navigated the changing dynamics of their society.
Kaahumanu’s character explores themes of female leadership and cultural preservation, showing how Hawaiian nobility had to balance tradition with the practical demands of protecting their people from colonization.
The Price of Unity
The series builds toward the dramatic unification of the Hawaiian Islands, showing both the military campaigns and political negotiations required to bring the warring kingdoms together. The climactic episodes reveal the personal and cultural costs of this unification, as leaders must sacrifice aspects of their traditional ways to create a unified front against colonial encroachment.
The final episodes explore whether unity achieved through warfare can preserve the cultural values it was meant to protect, and how indigenous leaders must adapt to survive in a rapidly changing world.
A Polynesian Ensemble
The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast, including Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis in a recurring role, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka, and Benjamin Hoetjes. This authentic casting choice ensures cultural accuracy and provides opportunities for Polynesian actors to tell their own stories.
Each supporting character represents different aspects of Hawaiian society during this pivotal period, from warriors and advisors to commoners caught in the crossfire of political upheaval.
Success on Apple TV+
Chief of War represents a groundbreaking moment for indigenous storytelling on streaming platforms, offering an unprecedented telling of Hawaiian unification from an indigenous perspective. The nine-episode series has been positioned as one of Apple TV+’s major 2025 releases, with the epic drama elevated by authentic Hawaiian music and stunning island cinematography. The series’ commitment to cultural authenticity and predominantly Polynesian casting has generated significant anticipation among both Hawaiian communities and mainstream audiences eager for diverse historical narratives.
If you love epic historical dramas with authentic indigenous perspectives, stunning cinematography, and powerful performances about cultural survival, Chief of War is the perfect series to binge on Apple TV+.
A groundbreaking historical epic that tells the story of Hawaiian unification from an indigenous perspective, combining spectacular action with deep cultural authenticity and Jason Momoa’s most personal performance to date.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 9 episodes (limited series)
Platform: Apple TV+
Rating (IMDb): TBD (premieres August 1, 2025)
Genre: Historical Drama, Epic, War, Cultural Drama
Main Characters: Jason Momoa (Ka’iana), Luciane Buchanan (Kaahumanu), Siua Ikale’o (King Kamehameha I), Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Kaina Makua
Antagonist: The threat of Western colonization and the internal divisions among Hawaiian kingdoms that make them vulnerable to foreign conquest