WE TAKE OUR beautiful Hawaii for granted, but Chief of War is here to correct the record. The Apple TV+ series—which debuted on Apple TV+ on August 1, just as the state has dealt with alarming tsunami waves—tells the story of how Hawai’i (if you’re staying true to the native language) came to be in the first place in the late 18th century. Before the beachside resorts and non-Polynesian tiki drinks, there were conflicting kingdoms, the hope of unification, and the threat of colonization: It’s an epic historical story told here in appropriately sweeping style.
Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa, not only stars but is a co-creator alongside Thomas Pa’a Sibbett; The series is a passion project that represents their Hawaiian heritage through a decidedly indigenous perspective. (The white guys on boats, or “the pale skin” people, as Momoa’s warrior-in-chief Kaʻiana amusingly calls them, are present but largely put to the side.) There are decades of real-life plot points packed into nine episodes, along with plenty of bloodshed. Along with Momoa, the predominantly Polynesian cast features Luciane Buchanan (The Night Agent), playing a fearsome soldier in her own right. And despite all the bloodshed, those beaches still look as alluring as ever.
But what do you need to know about the very real facts behind its narrative, and how they’re framed here? There’s a lot to unpack, but we’ve put together this handy explainer of everything you need to know about the true story behind Chief of War, and of course, whether you should watch this thing (hint: Momoa plus sharks are awaiting you).
What is Chief of War about?
Chief of War covers a period in Hawaiian history and lore from the late 18th century through to the early 19th century, or roughly 1782 to 1810, when the Wars of Hawaiian Unification unfolded.
Before the archipelago of Hawaii we know now as part of the U.S., its eight islands formed the Kingdom of Hawaii. But let’s rewind: Previous to that kingdom, the islands (the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and the like) were in conflict, ruled by different kingdoms worshipping different gods. These self-governing chiefdoms were known as Mokus. They were deeply hierarchical, with the chief at the top, but also strictly religious, with rules that were brutally enforced—including by killing.
The gods may have overruled even the chiefs, but of course these are humans we’re talking about, and ruling was often dictated according to an aristocratic line descending from Kamehameha the Great. But terms weren’t always clear, and things got more than a little chaotic.
“Maintaining political stability within a feudal chiefdom was not easy,” according to William H. Davenport, as National Geographic reports.
Simply, the islands and their chiefs frequently fought each other, with the aim of being the true leader of their area of Hawaii, or the entire kingdom. That’s the main focus of Chief of War, and hence the name, it’s bloody.
Who are the main players in the story behind Chief of War?
Momoa’s character Kaʻiana (aka Keawe-Kaʻiana-a-ʻAhuʻula) was a nobleman from the island of Hawai’i (now referred to as the Big Island). He was also a fiery leader, warrior, and conqueror who amassed rule over a number of chiefdoms. But he was not able to unite all of Hawaii under him, per the book Ruling Chiefs of Hawaii.
His contemporary was Kamehameha I (played in Chief of War by Kaina Makua), who would eventually become known as Kamehameha the Great. Like Kaʻiana, he was probably born in the 1750s, and came from the Big Island. And his aristocratic lineage, though questioned, cemented his future as a strong leader too, according to National Geographic.
Kamehameha was tall, brawny, and a natural fighter. He was also arrogant. As historian Gavan Daws put it, he acted with “an imperiousness that matched and even exceeded his rank.”
Both leaders had awareness of the British, as Kamehameha actually interacted with Anglo visitors including Captain James Cook, the famous explorer who had reached the islands in 1778. Though peaceful at first, “tensions between the British and the Hawaiians festered,” according to National Geographic. And, well, given that this is a colonization story, you can guess how that went: utterly ruthless vengeance.
At the same time, simmering rivalry was brewing among the Hawaiian royals. The elderly ruler Kalani‘ōpu‘ulay passed over his own son Kaʻiana in naming Kamehameha guardian of the war god. And he reportedly had it in him, having overturned a “large, sacred volcanic stone known as the Naha Stone,” with legend indicating that such a man could bring together all of Hawaii under him.
Rivalry between the cousins, due to ancestral expectations and reputation and at one point a drunken brawl, escalated.
So what ultimately happened in the true story of Chief of War?
If you really don’t want to know the endgame of Chief of War, consider this a spoiler for centuries-old events: The embittered cousins fought each other on a grand scale in 1782 in the Battle of Moku‘ōhai, with their respective followers behind them. It was brutal, hand-to-hand action on a rocky beach. Finally, one of Kamehameha’s soldiers killed Kaʻiana with a spear.
In the end, Kamehameha amassed even more control over the islands, and the wars of the era culminated with the unification of the archipelago as the Kingdom of Hawaii. Its king: Kamehameha the Great. Obviously, said kingdom would not last, but it is a moment that is too little known today.
What is the Chief of War show like? Will I like it?
Chief of War stands out most of all for its sumptuous visuals, especially the natural vistas worthy of Planet Earth. But this is a human story, after all, and one that’s not told enough. The lack of an attempt to over-explain the indigenous point of view is refreshing, even if some viewers might need a minute to process the world they’ve been dropped into. That said, the action thrills and story beats will be familiar to anyone who’s seen, say, The Last of the Mohicans, Terrence Malick’s The New World, or even yes, Avatar. (Not a spoiler since it happens early in the first episode, but Momoa rides a shark! It’s awesome.)
If you like fierce guys and ladies going into brutal combat, you’ll definitely enjoy Chief of War. Plus you absolutely must see Momoa riding a shark.
Paul Schrodt is a freelance writer and editor covering pop culture and the entertainment industry. He has contributed to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, GQ, Men’s Health, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles magazine, and others.
