Jason Momoa has taken on multiple roles as writer, director, and lead actor in the Apple TV+ series Chief of War, a project that carries immense personal significance for him. He revealed the intense pressure he feels while telling this crucial story, fearing backlash from his Native Hawaiian community if the portrayal falls short.
The historical drama is set in the late 1700s and early 1800s, focusing on Ka’iana, a noble warrior portrayed by Momoa, who sought to unite the warring Hawaiian kingdoms against the threat of colonization. The series aims to bring a largely untold era of Hawaiian history to a global audience through an ambitious, culturally accurate production.
A Deep Commitment to Authentic Polynesian Storytelling
Chief of War stands out for its dedication to authenticity, with painstaking efforts to accurately represent costumes, props, sets, and language. The first two episodes were filmed entirely in the endangered ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i language, underscoring the production’s commitment to preserving and honoring Hawaiian culture.
Momoa hopes that this intense focus on cultural fidelity will educate audiences worldwide while uplifting the indigenous history of Hawaii. Nevertheless, he admitted to RadioTimes.com that the journey to bring this story to life has been daunting and emotionally charged for him.
I don’t think there’s much in this series that I haven’t already done [in terms of action and stunts], but what I haven’t done is anything that’s been a direct descendant from my ancestors,
Momoa explained.
To be able to play your elders and your ancestors is scary.
—Jason Momoa
Balancing Ancestral Legacy with His Acting Career
While Momoa has drawn on his heritage before in roles such as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones and Baba Voss in See, portraying a historic Hawaiian figure required a deeper connection. He described the experience as a responsibility to research thoroughly and fill in the narrative gaps to respectfully portray this ancestral character.
But actually… to hold the line and really do the research and play a real character and fill in the blanks of a very scattered puzzle from A to B of his arc… because it’s our culture, it’s a little bit more personal and scary in that sense.
—Jason Momoa
He emphasized that unlike his more commercial projects such as Aquaman or Fast & Furious, this series demands a heavier emotional burden because it represents his people.
If we don’t get this right, we don’t get to come home,
Momoa said.
If we don’t do this for our people – take that weight, that responsibility… it’s not just another job, you know? I’m not coming home, people [would be] ashamed.
That’s something that weighs on us. I don’t have that at my day job. This is f***ing everything I have, you know? And the importance is next level. It’s not just as an actor, it’s as a director. It’s looking out for the whole show.
—Jason Momoa
Collaboration with Native Hawaiian Talent in Bringing the Story to Life
Momoa co-created and co-wrote Chief of War alongside Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, a screenwriter who has collaborated with him on previous projects, including Braven, The Last Manhunt, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Sibbett highlighted the importance of having Native Hawaiian voices leading this story.
The truth is, a story like this – especially because it hasn’t been done before – it just needed to be told from the inside, and we just didn’t have access [previously],
Sibbett said.
There’s definitely capable people that could have done it in the past, but we needed a [major star like] Jason Momoa. We needed somebody like me that could dig deep into history. It’s just my life. I’m a professional writer, but this is just what I love to do; I love to read these things and study these things.
—Thomas Pa’a Sibbett
He acknowledged that while the series might not be perfect in every detail, they were uniquely qualified as Hawaiians to tell this narrative with respect and authenticity.
Whether or not we did it perfectly, that will stand and people will question it. But we were able to do it because we are professionals and we are Hawaiian, and I think that’s what we needed.
—Thomas Pa’a Sibbett
Release and Ongoing Availability on Apple TV+
Chief of War premiered on Apple TV+ on August 1, with new episodes being released weekly. This series is a significant addition to Apple TV+’s lineup, offering viewers an immersive historical experience grounded in Native Hawaiian culture and history.
With Jason Momoa’s leadership on and off the screen, the project stands as a landmark achievement in Polynesian representation within mainstream media. The success and reception of the series could open doors for more stories told from indigenous perspectives, further enriching the diversity of global storytelling.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Jason Momoa left his wife?
A. In January 2022, Momoa and Bonet shared that they were separating. Two years later, in January 2024, Bonet officially asked for a divorce. She mentioned that they had different goals that couldn’t be solved. Bonet also noted that they had been apart since October 7, 2020. Their divorce was completed on July 9, 2024.
Q. Are all of Jason Momoa’s tattoos real?
A. In real life, Jason has many tattoos all over his body, and each one holds special meaning. The Aquaman makeup crew seemed inspired by Jason’s actual arm tattoo, using it as the basis for Aquaman’s complete body designs.
