More than a century before Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state, the islands played host to a ferocious fight for unification. With the help of actor Jason Momoa, one of the most famous warriors and dignitaries of the time is getting his story told in epic fashion.
Momoa co-created and stars in Chief of War, the nine-episode historical drama debuting today on Apple TV+. The series—spoken fully in Hawaiian language Ōlelo Hawaii—depicts the tribal warfare and political turmoil that enveloped the islands at the end of the 18th century. Hawaii became a unified kingdom in 1810 under King Kamehameha I (played by Kaina Makua), and the U.S. annexed the territory in 1898.
While Apple TV+ describes Chief of War as “based on true events,” allowing Momoa and the production team to add their own twist to real events, the tale is rooted in the harrowing true story of Chief Ka‘iana (played by Momoa). Here’s everything you need to know about his influential role in Hawaii’s history.
Ka‘iana was a famous Hawaiian explorer
According to historian David Miller’s The Hawaiian Journal of History, Ka‘iana was born on the largest island of Hawaii around 1855. He was a descendant of royalty, with his mother a member of the Maui royal family and his father the son of Hawaiian King Keaweikekahiali‘iokamoku.
Little is known about Ka‘iana’s early life, but his reputation in adulthood spread throughout the islands and even across continents. Nine years after Captain James Cook became the first European to reach the Hawaiian archipelago, Ka‘iana accompanied a British fur trader named John Meares on a 1787 expedition to China. Thus, he became the first Hawaiian chief to leave the islands. Ka‘iana also traveled to the Alaskan coast, encountering Indigenous Alaskans and Native Americans.
Ka‘iana’s large physical stature was one of his defining attributes. According to Meares, “He was near six feet five inches...and the muscular form of his limbs was of an Herculean appearance.”
Longing for the warmer climate, Ka‘iana returned to Hawaii in 1788 and spoke to Kamehameha of his travels. He is traditionally credited with introducing gunpowder and firearms to the islands, though Miller suggests British sailors actually provided the muskets and cannons.
In any case, the weapons would quickly be put to use as tensions began to boil.
Ka‘iana turned on his alliance with Kamehameha
Ka‘iana served in Kamehameha’s forces, which had invaded the islands of Maui and O‘ahu by 1795 in an attempt to catalyze unification. However, their relationship soured, and alleged marital infidelity might have played a role.
According to Miller, British naval officer George Vancouver—the namesake of the city in British Columbia, Canada—visited Hawaii three times between 1792 and 1794. Although initially friendly with Ka‘iana, he learned of the 1790 seizure of a ship called the Fair American, resulting in the deaths of all but two crewmen. He believed Ka‘iana responsible, and later remarked of the “turbulent, treacherous, and ungrateful dispositions” of the chief and his brother, Namakehā.
In one of his journals, Vancouver wrote of an alleged affair that occurred between Ka‘iana and Kamehameha’s favorite wife, Ka‘ahumanu (played in Chief of War by Luciane Buchanan). However, the rumor’s legitimacy is disputed: Two other members of Vancouver’s expedition gave their own accounts of Ka‘ahumanu’s alleged affair years later, but made no mention of Ka‘iana.
A more likely explanation is that Ka‘iana was excluded from a 1795 war council following the army’s invasion of Lāhainā. Soon after this slight, Ka‘iana and his brothers made the fateful decision to switch allegiances to join Kamehameha’s primary enemy, Kalanikūpule of O‘ahu.
Native Hawaiian scholar Natalee Kēhaulani Bauer surmises Ka‘iana made this drastic choice out of self-preservation. “‘What does this mean? Have I fallen out of favor? Is my life in danger?’ It wasn’t quite a Judas-like betrayal,” she explained.
The stage was set for a violent clash.
Ka‘iana died in battle at Nu‘uanu in 1795
That same year, Kamehameha led an army of 12,000 men and 1,200 war canoes into the Nu‘uanu Valley of O‘ahu.
Ka‘iana, now fighting for the opposition, died early in the battle alongside many of his comrades. Some accounts say he was hit by a cannonball, while others suggest he was struck by a spear and clubbed on the head.
According to the Punahou School, Kamehameha’s forces—with the aid of modern weapons such as cannons—then chased Kalanikūpule’s remaining warriors to the large cliffs nearby. With nowhere to run, around 800 of them leaped to their deaths. The resounding victory helped paved the way for Kamehameha to unify the islands as king years later.
Kamehameha’s legacy in Hawaiian history is celebrated often. “The schools are named after him, the highways are named after him: He’s King Kamehameha,” Bauer said.
While slightly more mysterious, Ka‘iana has similarly remained an influential figure through centuries of Hawaiian storytelling. The new series marks the biggest adaptation of his life to date.
Watch Chief of War on Apple TV+
Chief of War is a passion project for Momoa, 46, more than 10 years in the making.
The actor, originally from Honolulu, wanted to wait until his star power was strong enough to properly pitch and execute the story, according to Screen Rant. It was after his turn as superhero Aquaman and during his work on Denis Villenueve’s Dune (2021) that Momoa felt comfortable approaching Apple with co-creator and executive producer Thomas Pa’a Sibbett.
“This is probably going to be the most impactful thing that’s ever f—king happened to me. I can't wait to bring it home and show my people,” Momoa said.
The first two episodes of Chief of War are now streaming on Apple TV+, with new ones debuting weekly through September 19. The series stars Momoa as warrior Ka‘iana.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
