Jason Momoa, known for his commanding presence both on screen and stage, is spearheading a remarkable new venture that blends his Hawaiian roots with his passion for storytelling. On August 1, Apple TV+ will premiere Chief Of War, a series co-created by Momoa that chronicles the late 18th-century unification of the Hawaiian islands, designed to inspire and uplift the next generation through authentic cultural narratives. This Jason Momoa Hawaiian storytelling journey not only highlights his connection to his heritage but also serves as a pivotal moment for underrepresented indigenous voices in entertainment.
From Heavy Metal Fan to Cultural Ambassador
Jason Momoa’s journey began far from the shores of Hawaii, growing up in the American Midwest where his mother introduced him to Motown and jazz. Despite this foundation, Momoa found his true musical calling through a neighbor’s influence, discovering bands like Metallica, Slayer, and The Cramps, which opened the door to a lifelong bond with heavy metal. His enthusiasm for music went beyond mere fandom, evolving into a defining part of his personality and even feeding his creative processes in acting.
His love for metal music culminated in a memorable moment at Villa Park in Birmingham, where he unexpectedly hosted the historic final Black Sabbath concert before 45,000 fans. Invited by Sharon Osbourne herself, Momoa’s natural stage charisma helped him embrace the role of compere, blending his love for music with his larger-than-life persona.
“I’m like, ‘What the fuck are you talking about, man?!’” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Music Enthusiast
“I’ve never hosted anything before but I’ve gotta go out in front of all these fucking people and host! I’ll be shitting my pants, but at the same time it’s the goddamn greatest metal show in history.” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Music Enthusiast
Momoa even ventured into the mosh pit to headbang with Pantera fans, embodying the raw energy and spirit of the metal community. This vibrant personality is what endears him to millions worldwide as an actor and musician, connecting him to his fans on a deeply personal level.
Music as a Catalyst for Creativity and Character Development
Music is not just a pastime for Momoa but a crucial element in his creative routine. Before stepping into any role, he assembles curated playlists to mentally inhabit the characters he portrays. From the heavy riffs of Pantera for Conan the Barbarian to the smooth rock of Slash for Aquaman, his soundtracks guide his emotional and artistic performances.
In Chief Of War, Momoa turned to traditional Hawaiian music to authentically capture the spirit and mindset of Ka‘iana, the noble warrior at the heart of the series. This immersion reflects his dedication to honoring the true essence of his ancestry and heritage.
“Music is everything to me, man.” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Music Enthusiast
A Story Born of Heritage and Cultural Preservation
Chief Of War is not just a television show for Momoa but represents an epic tribute to his fatherland’s history. The nine-episode series explores the unification of the Hawaiian islands during a time of immense upheaval caused by western colonization, giving a voice to indigenous people long marginalized in mainstream media.
The narrative is vivid and intense, opening with thrilling hand-to-fin combat with a shark and continuing with scenes of tribal warfare where traditional weapons like the shark tooth knuckleduster (leiomano), spear (ihe), and stone slinger (ma‘a) are wielded with brutal authenticity. The arrival of technologically superior foreign invaders reshapes the Hawaiian world, challenging Ka‘iana’s loyalty and beliefs as he journeys beyond his homeland.
Momoa explains how Ka‘iana’s travels to China, the Philippines, and Alaska shape his transformation:
“He went to China, he went to the Philippines, he went to Alaska, and he’s bringing everything back. It’s a really cool adventure. [He’s been able to see the wider world] then come back but he’s been tainted by it, and I thought that was an interesting character to play. I come back home and everyone’s talking about these gods and I’m like, ‘There are no gods, no-one gives a shit about anyone out there.’ He knows what’s coming and we’re bickering over these things. They’re coming. And they don’t believe him, his family doesn’t believe him, and it’s just a really beautiful story to play.” —Jason Momoa, Actor
Jason also highlights the rarity of such visual storytelling about Hawaiian history:
“My father and my grandfather never saw images like this, These are all on paintings, they were never going to see something like this on film, so for generations before me and all the kids growing up with me, seeing this is going to be really special. It’s the ultimate passion project, man. It’s my heart and soul and it’s my people, so what a cool thing to be able to tell our stories.” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Creator
Filling a Void in Mainstream Hawaiian Stories
Unlike projects such as Moana, Hawaiian narratives remain notably absent from mainstream television and film. Momoa sees Chief Of War as an opportunity to share these invaluable stories worldwide, beyond the familiar image of Hawaii as a vacation spot characterized by its aloha spirit and natural beauty.
“There aren’t any stories and that’s what I think is going to be exciting. You have all these people from around the world come and get married [in Hawaii] and they enjoy it and they understand the aloha spirit, and that it’s an amazing, magical place, with the volcanoes and umbilical cord to our Earth… but they don’t know the stories from there. But there are people in Germany, Switzerland, Australia, they’re going to like seeing this story and know more about Hawaii and the people that were there. I love that kind of stuff – but I’m biased, obviously.” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Creator
Significantly, the show stays true to Hawaiian culture through casting mostly Polynesian actors and using the Hawaiian language in dialogue. The authenticity extends to the meticulous recreation of traditional ceremonial and warrior attire, including the sacred feather cloaks known as ʻahu ʻula and feathered helmets called mahiole.
“No-one’s allowed to wear that stuff, I’m not allowed to touch it, but to be able to have those made and to wear and what that does to my soul, it’s unbelievable. And for my co-stars who are Tongan, Samoan, Māori, all these different Polynesians coming together and wearing their ancestors’ outfits, it’s surreal. It’s like nothing I’ve ever worn before.” —Jason Momoa, Actor
For Momoa, the traditional Hawaiian loincloth or malo is more than just costume—it provides a direct connection to his culture, despite its revealing nature on his muscular physique.
“It actually feels really comfortable,” he says with a smile,
“I feel more connected to my culture. It’s an honour to be able to wear that malo. I’ve got ass for days, so I’m not worried about showing my ass. We all got one.”
A Deep Connection to Nature and Heritage
The themes of Chief Of War extend beyond tribal conflicts to underline an ancient reverence for nature. The Hawaiian concept of mana, a universal life force, reflects a spiritual bond with the Earth that resonates with Momoa’s own lifestyle. An avid outdoorsman, he regularly seeks out wilderness experiences like camping and biking in the desert to reconnect with nature and escape urban chaos.
“People don’t get the opportunity to sit by the fire, go camping and get down to simple living, talking and being around friends. And being quiet. The city’s all hustle and bustle and our jobs. It makes me humble, it keeps me grounded, I just enjoy the outdoors,”
Momoa reflects.
“I think it’s good for everybody, it recharges the human soul – we’re meant to be in nature. I just think we’re so disconnected from it. I’m definitely off when I’m not close to nature. When I work in the UK, there’s nothing better than pub life, and it’s amazing in London, but at the same time I’ve gotta make my way outside too.”
“We’re meant to be in nature – it recharges the human soul.” —Jason Momoa, Actor
Rocking Out: Jason’s Musical Endeavors Beyond Acting
Momoa’s passion for music transcends listening and acting; he also performs as the bassist for his band, ÖOF TATATÁ, formed with longtime friends Kenny Dale and Mike Hayes. Since their debut live performance in April last year, the band has played iconic venues such as Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood and recently made their UK debut in north London’s The Lexington.
The band’s name, meaning “Oof, almost” in Māori, reflects a playful spirit rooted in friendship and shared love for classic rock and metal covers from Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Bad Brains. Despite a busy acting career, Momoa remains committed to improving as a musician and creating original music.
“I was thinking about something we can do for the fans because you’d have these industry nights where you’d get people together and it’s just a bunch of people just going, ‘Can I get a picture with you?’ And I’m like, ‘Fuck dude, doing this all day isn’t that special sometimes,’”
Momoa says.
“You don’t get to have a great time with everybody because you’re a zombie taking pictures, you don’t get to be with everybody and hang out, and experience a night together – and that’s what I would fucking want! So how else can I make an experience?”
His devotion extends to balancing fears as a performer. Unlike acting, stage performance in front of live audiences leaves him feeling vulnerable.
“I’m fucking terrified,”
he admits.
I’m not scared to act because I don’t have to look at the camera and there are no crowds. I’ve never done theatre and I don’t ever want to. I didn’t get into acting to do theatre, I come from photography, cinema, shooting skate videos and shit like that. I love film because you’ve got the writing, the music and the pictures. Theatre isn’t really me. Standing up there with everyone staring at you all the fucking time is brutal. I get sick, I don’t feel well, it’s been this huge, whole different thing.”
“I never wanted to be a rock star onstage, but it’s really fun doing this thing and it helps my friends, and now my kids come and sing four songs, my son comes on and plays, and [we played] the fucking Whisky! I never knew I was going to do that, it was never in my brain to do that. I played in London! It’s surreal. I don’t care if it’s 200 people or 5,000, it’s still scary as shit. I love the bass and I really want to have more time to get better. I love music and I love learning.” —Jason Momoa, Musician and Actor
Continuing a Legacy of Self-Improvement and Cultural Advocacy
Jason Momoa’s life reveals a relentless pursuit of growth, whether through skating, acting, learning music, exploring martial arts, launching businesses, or now co-writing and directing a culturally significant television series. His devotion to authentic storytelling offers new opportunities for Hawaiian voices and stories to inspire audiences globally.
Reflecting on the impact of Chief Of War, Momoa emphasizes the importance of connecting with his heritage and opening doors for future generations.
“It’s reconnected me with my father’s side, my culture, the places I’ve seen, the people I’ve met. It’s really hard to make something like this because it’s a collaborative process, but we’re going to kick down the doors of the next generation of Hawaiians to be able to tell all of our stories, like the people who inspired me when Once Were Warriors came out.” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Creator
“I hope this shit launches something. I’m so excited for the next generation.” —Jason Momoa, Actor and Creator
Chief Of War premieres on Apple TV+ on August 1, with new episodes released weekly every Friday, marking a monumental step in Hawaiian representation and storytelling led by one of Hollywood’s most passionate advocates.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Jason Momoa left his wife?
A. In Los Angeles, Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet are now officially divorced. Their marriage ended legally on Tuesday, as finalized by a Los Angeles County judge. The couple had already been living apart for several years.
Q. Is Jason Momoa’s hair naturally curly?
A. To achieve this style, dyed hair requires extra care and nourishment. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly like Jason Momoa’s, applying a bit of sea salt spray will enhance its texture.
Q. Is Jason Momoa’s hair curly?
A. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly like Jason Momoa’s, apply a little sea salt spray to enhance its texture.
