Who Does Jason Momoa Play in Chief of War?

Exploring the Role of Kaʻiana, the Warrior Chief

When Apple TV+ released Chief of War in August 2025, it marked a historic moment in television—not only for its sweeping cinematic depiction of pre-contact Hawaiʻi, but for its authentic storytelling, rooted in Native Hawaiian language, history, and culture. At the center of this bold historical drama is Jason Momoa, who co-created the series and stars in the lead role as Kaʻiana, a real figure from Hawaiian history whose legacy remains complex and deeply debated.

So, who is Kaʻiana? Why was his story chosen to anchor this epic series? And what did he mean to the eventual unification of the Hawaiian Islands?

Let’s dive into the life of the man behind Momoa’s character—and what makes his journey such a compelling centerpiece for Chief of War.

Jason Momoa Plays Kaʻiana: The Aliʻi of Contradictions

In Chief of War, Jason Momoa portrays Kaʻiana ʻAhuʻula, a high-ranking Hawaiian aliʻi (chief) of noble birth from the island of Kauaʻi, who later gained influence on Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island).

Kaʻiana was born into a prominent chiefly line and was part of the powerful political and social network that governed the Hawaiian archipelago in the late 18th century. According to oral histories and Western records, Kaʻiana was charismatic, strategic, and well-respected—but he was also caught between worlds.

Kaʻiana was the first high-ranking Hawaiian to travel abroad, journeying to China and North America aboard Western ships in the early 1780s. He was exposed to firearms, Western customs, and new political philosophies—knowledge he would later bring back to Hawaiʻi.

When he returned to the islands, Kaʻiana became a key figure in the battles that would lead to the unification of the Hawaiian Islands—though not always on the side of Kamehameha I. This tension is the beating heart of Chief of War.

Kaʻiana’s Role in the Unification of Hawaiʻi

During the period known as the Hawaiian unification wars (1782–1810), multiple island chiefs competed for control of the archipelago. Kamehameha I, based on Hawaiʻi Island, emerged as a strong contender. Kaʻiana initially aligned with him, even assisting in the acquisition of muskets and cannons, helping to modernize Kamehameha’s army with Western firepower.

However, Kaʻiana’s allegiance was not fixed. As the power struggle intensified, Kaʻiana’s ambitions and disagreements with Kamehameha grew. Some accounts suggest that Kaʻiana feared losing his autonomy and influence. Others claim he was angered by Kamehameha’s consolidation of power and the influence of foreign advisors like John Young and Isaac Davis.

In a dramatic twist, Kaʻiana defected from Kamehameha’s campaign during the invasion of Oʻahu. He joined forces with Kalanikūpule, the aliʻi of Oʻahu, in what would become one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history: the Battle of Nuʻuanu in 1795.

Kaʻiana's switch of sides was seen by many as a betrayal—one that would ultimately cost him his life.

Kaʻiana’s Death and Legacy

During the Battle of Nuʻuanu, Kaʻiana led defensive efforts against Kamehameha’s forces. He and his men fortified Nuʻuanu Pali (the cliffs above Honolulu), creating a strategic stronghold to repel the invaders. However, despite their best efforts, Kamehameha’s army prevailed.

Kaʻiana was killed in battle, and many of the defending warriors were pushed over the cliff to their deaths—a chilling and legendary moment in Hawaiʻi’s martial history.

Kaʻiana’s death marked not only the defeat of the Oʻahu aliʻi but also the near-completion of Kamehameha’s quest to unite the islands under one rule. Only Kauaʻi and Niʻihau remained independent—and they would later cede to Kamehameha through negotiation rather than war.

Despite being remembered by some as a traitor, Kaʻiana’s legacy is far more complex. He was a product of a turbulent time, a high chief exposed to global ideas, trying to navigate the tides of change and honor. In choosing to tell this story through Kaʻiana’s eyes, Chief of War does more than dramatize—it humanizes.

Why Jason Momoa Chose to Portray Kaʻiana

Jason Momoa, born in Honolulu with Native Hawaiian ancestry, has long wanted to tell stories that reflect the richness and struggle of Hawaiian identity. With Chief of War, he and co-creator Thomas Paʻa Sibbett finally got the chance to bring one of Hawaiʻi’s most dramatic historical moments to life—and they chose Kaʻiana not just for his battlefield moments, but for his inner conflict.

In interviews, Momoa has described Kaʻiana as a “warrior out of time”—someone who saw the encroaching Western world and wanted to shape it on Hawaiian terms but ultimately got swept up in politics, power, and resistance. His journey reflects a deeper Hawaiian story of colonization, cultural resilience, and personal sacrifice.

By centering Kaʻiana rather than Kamehameha, the show gives voice to the aliʻi who lost, whose stories often remain in the shadows of victors.

What Makes Kaʻiana’s Story Important Today

In many ways, Kaʻiana’s story is a mirror for modern Hawaiʻi—a place still navigating outside influence, cultural identity, and a complicated history of loss and resistance. His life bridges:

• The time before unification, when each island was independently ruled
• The rise of centralized monarchy under Kamehameha
• The growing presence of Western powers that would eventually lead to colonization

Kaʻiana was also one of the first Native Hawaiians to step into the world beyond the islands, attempting to understand it on his own terms. That journey—between rooted identity and global transformation—is a profoundly relevant one, especially for Hawaiian audiences today.

Final Thoughts: Jason Momoa Brings Kaʻiana to Life

Jason Momoa’s performance in Chief of War is more than a leading role—it’s a reclaiming of narrative. By embodying Kaʻiana, Momoa invites audiences to question what it means to be a leader, a patriot, a protector of culture, and a product of change.

Kaʻiana was not perfect. He was not universally beloved. But he was courageous, complicated, and undeniably important to Hawaiʻi’s history.

With Chief of War, Kaʻiana’s legacy is no longer confined to a footnote in the story of Kamehameha—it’s front and center, carried by one of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic contemporary figures.

As the series unfolds, viewers around the world will come to know Kaʻiana not just as a name from the past—but as a man whose choices helped shape the future of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Where to Watch:
Chief of War is now streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes released weekly through September 19, 2025.

Further Reading:

• Bishop Museum: Hawaiian History Archives
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs
• Kamehameha Schools Hawaiian Cultural Resources

Let Kaʻiana’s story challenge and inspire your understanding of Hawaiʻi’s past—and its path forward.