Chief of Waris the latest historical fiction epic to grace our TV screens, and behind the series are fascinating real-world stories to explore. The new show is apassion project from co-creator Jason Momoa, who also stars in the series. Momoa leadsChief of War’scastas the warrior Ka’iana, a man treading the line between peace and violence.
Like most historical epics,Chief of Wartakes liberties with its stories for dramatic purposes. However, the show’s premiere episodes have already demonstrated an emphasis on embracing Hawaiian history with language and production design of the highest quality.
Chief Of War Takes Place Roughly Between 1782 & 1810
This Is A Multi-Decade Epic
First things first, it’s vital to establish a timeframe, asChief of War’seventstake place over the span of multiple years at a pivotal moment of Hawaiian history. This period was defined by war between the four major kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands, before Kamehameha I (Kaina Makua), also known as Kamehameha the Great, conquered and unified them.
The unified Kingdom of Hawai’i went on to last in its independence until 1893 before eventually becoming a US state in 1959. The early stages of Western influence, particularly the British, are demonstrated inChief of War. However, the American integration wasn’t until decades after the events of the show.
Ka’iana Was An 18th-century Hawaiian Warrior
Ka’iana Was Described As Herculean In Appearance
As mentioned, Jason Momoa plays a man named Ka’iana, who was regarded in history as a warrior and explorer. He had two half brothers, both of whom play prominent roles in the show: Nāhiʻōleʻa (Siua Ikale') and Nāmākēhā (Te Kohe Tuhaka), and was married to Kekupuohi (Te Ao o Hinepehinga). Their names are slightly altered in the series.
The three brothers all helped Kahekili II conquer O’ahu in the early 1780s, as is depicted inChief of War’sfirst episode, and left the king’s forces after being dissatisfied with his rule. Ka’iana later joined the ship of fur trader Captain John Meares (Erroll Shand).
These travels took Ka’iana far and wide, even reaching China, the Philippines, and the northwestern coast of North America, before eventually returning to Hawai’i. Ha’iana’s time spent with Western civilization provided him with an understanding of firearms and other advanced technology, which he helped integrate into his culture upon return, aiding King Kamehameha I in the unification.
Captain John Meares allegedly described Ka’iana as 6'5", and that “the muscular form of his limbs was of a Herculeanappearance.” (viaHistory.com)
Hawai’i Was Divided Into Four Kingdoms
O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i
At the time ofChief of War, Hawai’i was split into four major kingdoms: O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i. Ka’iana is believed to have been raised on O’ahu in real life, which is the kingdom he later aids Kahekili II conquer. Kahekili II rules over the island of Maui inChief of War, which is consistent with real life.
Kaʻahumanu (Luciane Buchanan) was also born on Maui to a man named Keʻeaumoku II (shortened to Moku in the show, played by Moses Goods). King Kamehameha I was born on the island of Hawai’i as the son of Keōua (Cliff Curtis).
In the present day, the island of Hawai’i is nicknamed “The Big Island” for its size and elevation, but O’ahu is by far the most populated, hosting the state capital, Honolulu. Maui and Kaua’i are still the names of their respective islands. There are eight total islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, though only seven are inhabited.
Chief Of War’s Nobles Are Connected By Blood
Ka’iana Is The First Cousin Once Removed Of King Kamehameha
Nobility, be it in fictional worlds likeGame of Thronesor the real world royal families, is often bound by blood and numerous generations of breeding between houses. Ka’iana was born from a noble background, and the grandson of Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, a previous king of the island of Hawai’i.
Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku is also the grandfather of Keōua, making them cousins, and the grandfather of Kamehameha the Great. Ka’ahumanu was born on the island of Maui, and her father was a rival of King Kahekili II (full name Kahekilinuiʻahumanu), and she was named after him. She is also the third cousin of King Kamehameha I, her future husband.
Captain James Cook Was The First European To Reach Hawai’i
James Cook Reached Hawai’i in 1778
Captain James Cookwas a British Royal Navy officer and explorer who traveled around the Pacific Ocean in the late 18th century, eventually becoming the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands. His other accomplishments include being the first to visit the east coast of Australia and circumnavigate New Zealand.
Chief of Warepisode 2 shows Ka’iana and Ka’ahumanu discussing the previous arrival of the British, which they repelled. This is likely referring to Cook’s third voyage in the late 1770s, in which he reached the Hawaiian Islands in 1778. Aside from one of Cook’s men shooting a Hawaiian man, this was a peaceful encounter.
The navigator who appears in Hawai’i inChief of Warepisode 2 is Captain John Meares, another Englishman who arrived in the 1780s. James Cook died in 1779, just one year after reaching Hawai’i, meaning he won’t be appearing inChief of War.
