The new Apple TV+ series Chief of War starring Jason Momoa has stirred many emotions in our Hawaiian community. For the first time on a worldwide stage, people are seeing the story of Kamehameha I and the unification of our islands. This is more than a television show for us – it is our history, our culture, and our identity being shared with the world.
Many of us feel proud to see our ancestors honored on screen. For so long, our history has been left out, misrepresented, or told by outsiders who did not understand our way of life. Chief of War feels different because it carries our language, our chants, and our traditions.
Hearing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi spoken and seeing ceremonies represented that connect us to our kūpuna has brought tears to the eyes of many families. It is a reminder that our culture is alive and strong.
At the same time, some in the community are cautious. We know that film and television often change details to make a story more dramatic. While the battles and struggles make for exciting scenes, there is concern that people outside of Hawaiʻi may think everything they see is exact history. For us, the story of Kamehameha is not just entertainment – it is sacred.
Some worry that pieces of our history may be lost or misunderstood when shown through a Hollywood lens. Still, Chief of War has given us something powerful: conversation.
Families are gathering to watch and then talk story afterward. Parents are explaining to their children who Kamehameha was, what the aliʻi (chiefly class) meant, and why the unification of the islands was such a turning point in our history. Teachers are using the show to spark interest in classrooms. Young people who may not have cared much about Hawaiian history before are now asking questions about their genealogy and the chiefs who shaped our islands. That alone feels like a gift.
For audiences outside Hawaiʻi, this may be their first time learning about our past. Many only know Hawaiʻi as a tourist destination, full of beaches and palm trees. Chief of War shows the world a deeper truth – that we were once a thriving, sovereign nation with leaders, warriors, and traditions as complex as any other great civilization.
Outsiders may see Kamehameha as a heroic figure, much like they see kings or warriors from Europe or Asia. We can only hope they also understand that we, his descendants, are still here, still carrying forward his legacy.
No film or series will ever tell our story perfectly. But for many of us, this feels like an important step. For too long, our history was silenced or pushed aside. Now, the world is paying attention. Seeing our story told, even with its flaws, helps us heal from that erasure. It reminds us that our culture is strong, our language still spoken, and our people still thriving.
The reaction to Chief of War in Hawaiʻi has been layered: pride, curiosity, caution, and hope. We are proud to see ourselves on screen, cautious about how our history is shown, but hopeful that the series will spark deeper learning and respect. Most of all, it has reminded us of who we are and how far we have come.
As one kupuna said after watching, “If this makes our grandchildren ask, ʻWho was Kamehameha?’ then it has already done something good.”
