Chief of War
Chief of War is an American historical drama television series created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa for Apple TV+.
Chief of War is an American historical drama television series created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa for Apple TV+. Set in late-18th-century Hawaiʻi, it follows warrior chief Kaʻiana as he becomes involved in the struggle to unite the Hawaiian Islands amid conflict and the arrival of Western colonizers. The series premiered on August 1, 2025, and consists of nine episodes.
Premise
Chief of War follows Kaʻiana, a Hawaiian warrior chief, as he returns home and joins the struggle to unify the islands. The narrative is set against internal conflict among the kingdoms of Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi and the growing presence of foreign powers.
Production and release
The series was created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa for Apple TV+. It premiered on August 1, 2025, and ran for nine episodes through September 19, 2025.
Historical setting
The drama is set in the late 18th century, before and during the political consolidation of Hawaiʻi under Kamehameha I. Sources describe it as drawing on historical events while still using dramatized storytelling.
Reception and significance
Reviews noted the series’ scale, historical focus, and Indigenous perspective. Coverage also emphasized its use of Hawaiian language and its attention to the history of unification and colonization in Hawaiʻi.
Key facts
- Chief of War is a historical drama series created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Jason Momoa for Apple TV+.
- Jason Momoa stars as Kaʻiana and executive produces the series.
- The story is based on true events in late-18th-century Hawaiʻi, depicting the four major kingdoms during a period of war and unification.
- The series premiered on August 1, 2025, with nine episodes released weekly until September 19, 2025.
- The show is presented from an Indigenous Hawaiian perspective and uses both Hawaiian and English.
The series received coverage from CBC, and its historical subject matter may be of interest to Canadian viewers interested in Indigenous representation, Pacific history, and prestige television.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chief of War about?
Who created Chief of War?
Who stars in Chief of War?
When did Chief of War premiere?
How many episodes does Chief of War have?
What languages are used in Chief of War?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_WarSupports: Series creator, premise, premiere date, episode count, and historical setting.
- Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/chief_of_warSupports: Creator, network, genre, release date, and synopsis.
- Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-08-01/chief-of-war-review-jason-momoaSupports: Historical drama framing, Jason Momoa’s role, and late-18th-century setting.
- Apple TV — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owdGcwufWK8Supports: Official trailer description, Indigenous perspective, and creators' Hawaiian heritage.
- German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_WarSupports: Episode count, languages, production country, and historical summary.
- The Hollywood Reporter — https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/chief-of-war-review-jason-momoa-apple-tv-1236334220/Supports: Nine-episode structure, Momoa as Ka'iana, and production details.
- The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/arts/television/chief-of-war-review.htmlSupports: Historical setting, Indigenous perspective, Hawaiian and English languages, and dramatisation of real events.
- CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/chief-of-war-review-1.7599204Supports: Canadian coverage, plot context, and Kaʻiana’s role in Hawaiian history.