The Plot and Storyline of Jason Momoa’s Chief of War
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When Chief of War premiered on Apple TV+ in August 2025, it marked a groundbreaking moment for Hawaiian storytelling on a global stage. Created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, the nine-episode historical drama unfolds against the turbulent backdrop of the late 18th century, when the Hawaiian Islands were locked in fierce battles for dominance.
At the center of the story is Kaʻiana, a complex aliʻi (chief) portrayed by Momoa himself. Through Kaʻiana’s perspective, Chief of War dramatizes the political intrigue, personal rivalries, and bloody conflicts that eventually led to the unification of Hawaiʻi under King Kamehameha I.
This is not just another period drama—it’s a retelling of Hawaiian history through Native eyes, balancing brutal realism with cultural authenticity. Let’s break down the plot and storyline of Chief of War and what audiences can expect from this sweeping epic.
Setting the Stage: Hawaiʻi in the Late 1700s
The series begins in the 1780s, a time of upheaval across the Hawaiian Islands. Powerful aliʻi ruled different islands and districts, competing for resources, prestige, and spiritual legitimacy. Battles were fought with traditional Hawaiian weapons like spears and shark-tooth clubs, but also with newly introduced muskets and cannons from Western traders.
Foreign contact had begun to shift the balance of power. Chiefs who aligned with Europeans gained access to firearms, advisors, and trade goods. The political chessboard was rapidly changing, and Kaʻiana was caught at the center of it all.
Who is Kaʻiana?
Unlike many historical dramas that focus on the victors, Chief of War takes a bold approach: it follows the story of Kaʻiana ʻAhuʻula, a high-ranking chief from Kauaʻi who later became entangled in Kamehameha’s campaigns.
Why Kaʻiana?
- He was one of the first Hawaiian chiefs to travel abroad, visiting China and other ports on Western ships.
- His exposure to the outside world gave him unique perspective—but also sowed conflict about Hawaiʻi’s future.
- He was once an ally of Kamehameha I, but later defected to fight against him.
This makes Kaʻiana a perfect lens for the drama: both insider and outsider, hero and betrayer, warrior and exile.
Plot Overview of Chief of War
Episode 1–2: A Chief Returns
The series opens with Kaʻiana returning to Hawaiʻi after years abroad. Having seen foreign lands, he is changed—more ambitious, more questioning of the old ways. He finds his homeland embroiled in rivalries between chiefs, with Kamehameha on the rise as a formidable leader on Hawaiʻi Island.
Kaʻiana grapples with where he belongs: should he support Kamehameha’s vision of unification or protect his own independence? His relationships—with fellow chiefs, family, and potential allies—form the emotional bedrock of these early episodes.
Episode 3–4: Alliances and Betrayals
Kaʻiana initially allies with Kamehameha, bringing with him knowledge of Western weapons and strategy. Together, they wage campaigns against rival islands, including Maui and Molokaʻi.
During these episodes, viewers are introduced to other key figures:
- Kamehameha I (Kaina Makua), ambitious yet cautious, determined to unite the islands under his rule.
- Kaʻahumanu (Luciane Buchanan), Kamehameha’s influential consort, who plays a strategic political role.
- King Kahekili of Maui (Temuera Morrison), a fierce rival.
But alliances in this world are fragile. Kaʻiana begins to question whether Kamehameha truly values him as an equal—or sees him only as a useful pawn.
Episode 5–6: The Turning Point
Conflict erupts when Kaʻiana senses betrayal. Rumors swirl that Kamehameha’s advisors, including foreigners John Young and Isaac Davis, distrust Kaʻiana’s growing influence. Feeling marginalized, Kaʻiana makes the fateful choice to defect.
This decision sets the stage for a devastating clash. Kaʻiana aligns with Kalanikūpule of Oʻahu, positioning himself directly against Kamehameha in what will become one of the most decisive battles in Hawaiian history.
The tension in these episodes is both personal and political: Kaʻiana is torn between loyalty to his people and his desire for autonomy.
Episode 7–8: The Battle of Nuʻuanu
The climactic battle plays out across Oʻahu, culminating in the infamous Battle of Nuʻuanu (1795). Here, Kamehameha’s forces drive Kalanikūpule’s warriors—and Kaʻiana—up the steep cliffs of Nuʻuanu.
Kaʻiana meets his tragic end in this confrontation. His death is both heroic and heartbreaking, marking the fall of a man who could have been king. Thousands perish in the battle, and the image of warriors forced over the pali cliffs remains one of the most enduring in Hawaiian history.
Episode 9: Aftermath and Legacy
The finale explores the aftermath of Kaʻiana’s death and Kamehameha’s consolidation of power. Though victorious, Kamehameha’s triumph comes at a cost—alliances shattered, lives lost, and the fragile future of a unified Hawaiʻi at stake.
The series closes on a reflective note: Kaʻiana may have died in opposition, but his story embodies the struggles, ambitions, and sacrifices of an era that forever changed Hawaiʻi.
Themes Explored in the Series
Chief of War isn’t just about battles. It dives deeply into themes that resonate today:
- Loyalty and Betrayal: Kaʻiana’s journey highlights the fragile bonds between chiefs and allies.
- Cultural Identity: As Hawaiians encountered Westerners, questions of tradition vs. adaptation became central.
- Power and Leadership: The series asks what it means to rule—through fear, diplomacy, or unity.
- Legacy: Whose stories are remembered, and whose are forgotten? By centering Kaʻiana, Chief of War reclaims a narrative often overshadowed by Kamehameha’s victory.
Cultural Authenticity and Hawaiian Language
One of the most praised aspects of Chief of War is its commitment to authenticity. The series incorporates ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) in dialogue, employs cultural advisors, and features costuming, weaponry, and protocols faithful to the era.
For Native Hawaiian viewers, this is more than a drama—it is a form of cultural restoration, bringing history to life on screen in a way rarely seen in mainstream media.
Why Chief of War Matters
Beyond its entertainment value, Chief of War has significant cultural and educational impact:
- It introduces global audiences to a pivotal chapter in Hawaiian history.
- It portrays Hawaiians not as background figures in someone else’s story, but as central characters with agency, ambition, and humanity.
- It creates space for Indigenous voices in Hollywood, with Jason Momoa and Polynesian cast members leading the way.
Jason Momoa’s Chief of War is more than a historical drama—it is a Hawaiian epic, retelling the unification wars through the eyes of a chief who stood at the crossroads of history.
The storyline—Kaʻiana’s rise, alliance with Kamehameha, eventual defection, and tragic downfall—captures the drama, passion, and brutality of the late 18th century. Through battles like Nuʻuanu, complex relationships, and themes of loyalty and betrayal, the series offers a sweeping, culturally grounded narrative that both educates and entertains.
For viewers, Chief of War is a chance not just to watch Hawaiian history unfold, but to feel its heartbeat—one that continues to echo across the islands today.