Chief of Warinstantly introduces a sprawling cast of characters, many of whom are connected through familial ties. The new Apple TV+ series is a passion project from creator and star Jason Momoa, who crafted the epic based on fascinating real-world Hawaiian history, set around the turn of the 18th century.
Chief of War’s historical setting takes audiences to a time long before Hawai’i would become a US state, and decades before its unification, when the four main islands of the archipelago were ruled as separate kingdoms. This includes O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i, the leaders of which were often bound by blood and marriage.
Ka’iana
Husband Of Kupuohi
Jason Momoa leads Chief of War’s cast as Ka’iana, a warrior of royal blood who defies the orders of King Kahekili of the island of Maui after episode 1’s acts of violence against O’ahu. Ka’iana keeps his family of warriors by his side, including his wife Kupuohi, and half-brothers Nahi and Nāmākēhā.
Ka’iana is a real-life warrior from this time period who was known not only for his involvement in Hawai’i’s war conflicts, but also for spending time away from the islands, traveling aboard a British ship, reaching as far as China and the Philippines.
Kupuohi
Wife Of Ka’iana
Kupuohi is Ka’iana’s wife, who accompanies him on the battlefield and in their travels between the Hawaiian islands. She’s renowned as a warrior among both the women and men of Hawai’i, able to fight alongside and against the strongest and most skilled fighters on the islands.
In real life, her full name was Kekupuohi, although not much is known about her aside from being married to Ka’iana. She was known in history for leading an all-woman regiment into battles for King Kamehameha the Great.
Nahi
Half-Brother Of Ka’iana
Nahi is the younger half-brother of Ka’iana, who also travels with him and supports him in battle. He’s deeply loyal to his family, though he starts developing feelings for Heke, Kupuohi’s younger sister. He believes these feelings to be a distraction, but she continues to pursue him.
Nāmākēhā
Half-Brother Of Ka’iana
Nāmākēhā is the middle of the three brothers, who is also a fierce warrior who’s passionate about what he believes in. The series reveals that he’s also in love with Ka’iana’s wife, Kupuohi, which puts him at odds with himself as he tries to control his emotions.
Keōua
Cousin of Ka’iana
Keōua is the cousin of Ka’iana through their grandfather, Keaweʻīkekahialiʻiokamoku, who was previously the king of Hawai’i Island. At this point, Keōua is the next in line to inherit the throne from his father and is one of the primary antagonists in the Chief of War series.
Keōua is played by legendary screen actor Cliff Curtis, who brings his A-game as a man working against Ka’iana’s goals. Keōua is also believed to be the father of Kamehameha in history, although there are opposing theories on the matter that suggest Kahekili was the father.
Kamehameha
Son Of Keōua
Kamehameha the Great is known in history as being the unifier of Hawai’i, but when we meet him in Chief of War, it will be a younger version. There’s also some discrepancy as to when Kamehameha was born, though he’s portrayed in the series by first-time actor Kaina Makua, who seems to be a younger man.
Kamehameha is believed to be Keōua’s son, which would make him Ka’iana’s first cousin once removed. He’s also betrothed to Kaʻahumanu, as per Chief of War episode 2, when her father offers her for a marriage alliance.
Kaʻahumanu
Betrothed To Kamehameha
Ka’ahumanu is Kamehameha’s betrothed, but she’s also one of the main characters in the series. In Chief of War episode 2, audiences are introduced to her and her family, revealing that she’s a woman who feels restrained by patriarchal tradition, and is a warrior and leader in her own right.
Ka’ahumanu is a free-spirited woman, and upon learning of her betrothal, she seeks out the seer, Taula, who warns her of her turbulent future. Taula shares that Ka’ahumanu only has one path to freedom, and it’s with the help of a guardian (who seems very likely to be Ka’iana).
Moku
Father Of Kaʻahumanu
Ka’ahumanu is the daughter of a chief named Moku, who is one of Kahekili’s rivals on Maui, which is why Moku insists upon her marriage. With Kahekili’s warmongering, Maui has become a dangerous place, and she’s offered a new life on Hawai’i Island.
Kahekili
King Of Maui
King Kahekili II is the ruler of the Maui island, and the first episode reveals how dangerous he is. Kahekili believes in a prophecy that was foretold long ago, declaring that the Hawaiian islands would be unified by a great king.
Kahekili reveals in episode 2 that he believes himself to be that king and uses the prophecy as a means to incite violence. He lies to Ka’iana, who rebels against him, and to his own son, Prince Kūpule, establishing tension in his own ranks.
Prince Kūpule
Son Of Kahekili
Prince Kūpule is Kahekili’s son who, although seeming to be loyal to his father, has aspirations of his own. Kūpule appears to be a formidable warrior in his own right, and shares in his father’s desire for power and legacy, setting him up to be one of Ka’iana’s antagonists in Chief of War.
