Jason Momoa shares a deeply personal reason for making Chief of War

Apple TV+ is set to premiere Chief of War on 1st August 2025. The new historical drama follows Kaʻiana, a warrior and prince, during Hawaiʻi’s struggle for unification at the turn of the 19th century. Jason Momoa leads the series as Kaʻiana and also serves as co-creator and director.

At the premiere, Momoa opened up about why the project means so much to him. He explained that this wasn’t just about making a show; it was about honoring his culture, his roots, and his family.

Jason Momoa on why Chief of War is special to him

Chief of War takes place during a crucial point in Hawaiian history. As the islands battle over unification, Kaʻiana, a powerful warrior from Kauaʻi, returns home after traveling abroad. He joins the campaign to unite the islands under King Kamehameha I, only to later oppose it. This drama unfolds during a time of violence, transformation, and cultural tension, as Hawaiʻi faces internal war and external influence.

For Jason Momoa, this story is incredibly personal. Born and raised in Honolulu, he grew up surrounded by the history and culture that the show brings to the screen. At the premiere, he shared his motivation with ScreenRant, saying,

“It’s massive. We don't get this right, we don't get to come home. I want to make my family proud. My whole family's here. My father. I was raised right there.”

Momoa revealed that part of the reason he created Chief of War was for his younger self, who never saw stories like these told on screen. He said,

“I always wanted to see something like this. I’m doing this for young Jason. I wanted to see us up on the big screen, I wanted to see us telling those stories. Those were paintings and museums, that’s all we had were images.”

He also spoke about the importance of language and cultural pride in the show, saying,

“And then our language is up there to inspire the next generation. I just wanted to ripple out. We were inspired by the Modi. We've done a great job down in Aotearoa telling stories that were dear to them, and we need that here.”

For Momoa, Chief of War is a chance to bring Hawaiian culture to a global audience authentically and respectfully. It’s about making sure children growing up today can see their culture represented honestly.

The cast includes Temuera Morrison as Chief Kahekili, Kaina Makua as Kamehameha I, and Luciane Buchanan as Kaʻahumanu. The cast also includes Cliff Curtis, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, and Moses Goods.

Momoa’s stature in Hollywood gives him the platform to tell stories that matter. And with Chief of War, he’s doing just that, bringing a new kind of Hawaiian story to the screen, one that could pave the way for many more. For him, this isn’t just a role. It’s a personal project to preserve and share his people’s history with pride.

Chief of War releases on Apple TV+ on 1st August 2025.

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