🌺Chief of War Review: Jason Momoa’s Hawaiian Epic on Apple TV+

History bleeds into legend in Chief of War, Apple TV+’s sweeping Hawaiian historical drama created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett. With its breathtaking landscapes, authentic cultural grounding, and thunderous battle sequences, the series is more than a retelling of history—it’s a story about betrayal, unity, and the high cost of power.

Momoa takes center stage as Kaʻiana, a fierce aliʻi (chief) torn between loyalty and rebellion during Hawaiʻi’s turbulent late-18th century wars. Guided by chants, traditions, and the clash of spears, each episode unfolds like a chant of memory—deeply rooted in Hawaiian identity yet cinematic in scale.

Let’s break down the series episode by episode so far.

⚔️ Episode 1: The Chief of War

Release Date: August 1, 2025 | Director: Justin Chon

The series opens with fire and ocean—two forces that define Hawaiʻi. We meet Kaʻiana, whose journey from loyal warrior to conflicted rebel begins in this introduction. Episode 1 paints him as both heroic and deeply human, a man haunted by visions of what unification under Kamehameha I may cost his people.

Visually, it’s stunning: volcanic landscapes, outrigger canoes cutting through waves, and the brutal realities of battle. Momoa delivers Kaʻiana’s inner turmoil with quiet gravitas, setting the stage for the wars to come.

“The islands are not one—they are many. To unite them, blood must flow.”

A chilling opener that hooks you instantly.

🌊 Episode 2: Changing Tides

Release Date: August 1, 2025 | Director: Justin Chon

The tone shifts to political maneuvering. Alliances are forged on shifting sands, and we see rival chiefs—each believing themselves destined to rule. Kaʻiana begins questioning the price of loyalty when whispers of betrayal ripple across the islands.

Luciane Buchanan as Kaʻahumanu shines in this episode, showcasing both cunning and compassion. The interplay between women of the court and warriors on the battlefield deepens the show’s layers.

The ocean motif dominates here: tides rising and falling like the ambitions of kings.

🌺 Episode 3: City of Flowers

Release Date: August 8, 2025 | Directors: Anders Engström & Brian Andrew Mendoza

Episode 3 transports us to a visually rich city—alive with trade, color, and political intrigue. But beneath its beauty lies tension, as Kaʻiana struggles to navigate diplomacy while carrying the scars of war.

The episode hints at his disillusionment: can Hawaiʻi’s unity truly honor its people, or is it just another empire forged in blood? Subplots involving foreign sailors (like Captain John Meares) add complexity, showing how global forces circle Hawaiʻi like sharks.

🌸 Episode 4: City of Flowers, Part II

Release Date: August 15, 2025 | Directors: Anders Engström & Brian Andrew Mendoza

Part II digs deeper into betrayal and double-crosses. The “city” becomes a chessboard of power where Kaʻiana’s loyalty is tested to its breaking point. We also see glimpses of Kamehameha I (Kaina Makua), a towering presence whose charisma both inspires and intimidates.

This is the episode where the tension explodes—the calm before the storm has ended.

🏹 Episode 5: The Race of the Gods

Release Date: August 22, 2025 | Director: Brian Andrew Mendoza

One of the series’ most cinematic episodes yet. Epic canoe races, ritualistic chants, and the gods themselves invoked in dialogue. Kaʻiana realizes that destiny isn’t just shaped by men with weapons—it’s tied to the land, the sea, and the ancestors.

The title reflects both the literal race and the spiritual race for Hawaiʻi’s soul. It’s a breathtaking midpoint that escalates the stakes.

🪓 Episode 6: The Splintered Paddle

Release Date: August 29, 2025 | Director: Brian Andrew Mendoza

The latest released episode. Named after Kamehameha’s legendary law protecting the vulnerable, this chapter weaves politics with morality. Kaʻiana sees firsthand the brutality inflicted upon common people, fueling his doubts about unification.

“What is a chief, if not a servant of the land and its people?”

Momoa delivers his most powerful performance yet, torn between brotherhood and justice. The brutality of war is balanced with quiet, intimate moments—reminding us of what’s truly at stake: the lives of ordinary Hawaiians.

🔥 What’s Next?

Upcoming Episodes on Apple TV+:

• Episode 7: Day of Spilled Brains – September 5, 2025

• Episode 8: The Sacred Niu Grove – September 12, 2025

• Episode 9: The Black Desert – September 19, 2025 (directed by Jason Momoa himself)

🌋 Final Thoughts

Chief of War isn’t just a historical drama—it’s a reclamation of Hawaiian storytelling on a global stage. Each episode builds a mosaic of war, love, betrayal, and resilience. With Hans Zimmer’s thunderous score, authentic cultural advisors, and Jason Momoa’s passion at its core, the series feels both monumental and deeply personal.

If you love epics like Vikings or Shōgun, Chief of War is Apple TV+’s boldest answer to those legacies.

👉 New episodes stream every Friday exclusively on Apple TV+.