"Chief of War," on Apple TV+: Hawaii as you've never seen it before

The drama series, written by Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa, arrives on the platform this Friday, August 1st. It tells the troubled story of a part of Polynesia.

By Alice Clavier

"Chief of War," a series inspired by true events co-produced and written by Jason Momoa, who also plays Ka'iana, is a beautiful tribute to a culture that is too little known. Apple TV+/Nicola Dove

When you hear the word "Hawaii," you probably think of tropical forests, powdery beaches, and exotic clichés. The gem, released Friday on Apple TV+, will shatter that clichéd image. In the heart of the Pacific Ocean, three centuries ago, an archipelago was home to four peoples divided into the kingdoms of Maui, Kaua'i, O'Ahu, and Hawai'i.

United by their language and beliefs, divided by their warlike greed, these tribes faced a dual threat: their fratricidal struggles on one side, and British colonization on the other. A warrior named Ka'iana sought to unite the islands and free his family from these bloody rivalries. The nine-part series, airing from August 1, chronicles the adventures of this extraordinary warlord.

Subscribe to read more

Already a subscriber? Log in