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Photos: Jason Momoa, cast and crew unveil 'Chief of War' at Oʻahu premiere

Hawaiʻi Public Radio | By Tori DeJournett
Published July 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM HST
Updated July 22, 2025 at 11:34 AM HST
Jason Momoa, along with cast members and prominent community members, all gathered at red carpet premiere
Tori DeJournett
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HPR
Jason Momoa, cast members and prominent community figures attend the red carpet premiere on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Audiences will soon be treated to the new Apple TV+ series "Chief of War," set against the historical backdrop of the unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

The nine-episode series will debut with the first two episodes on Aug. 1, followed by new episodes every Friday through Sept. 19.

The show is a passion project for actor Jason Momoa and co-creator, executive producer and head writer Thomas Paʻa Sibbett. Both are Native Hawaiian and grew up on the continent.

Here's what we saw at the red carpet event Friday evening at Ko Olina on Oʻahu.

Jason Momoa plays Kaʻiana, an aliʻi of Kauaʻi in the new Apple TV+ series "Chief of War."
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Jason Momoa plays Kaʻiana, an aliʻi of Kauaʻi in the new Apple TV+ series "Chief of War."
Kaina Makua, who plays King Kamehameha in "Chief of War," walks the red carpet alongside his daughters on July 18, 2025.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Kaina Makua, who plays King Kamehameha in "Chief of War," walks the red carpet alongside his daughters on July 18, 2025.
From left to right: Temuera Morrison, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Brandon Finn talking with the press at the "Chief of War" red carpet.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
From left to right: Actors Temuera Morrison, Te Kohe Tuhaka, and Brandon Finn talk with the press on the "Chief of War" red carpet on July 18, 2025.
Guests of the "Chief of War" red carpet premiere gathered outside the carpet to see the cast members.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Guests of the "Chief of War" red carpet premiere gather outside the carpet to see the cast members on July 18, 2025.
"Chief of War" cast members gather for a group photo on the red carpet.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
"Chief of War" cast members gather for a group photo on the red carpet.
Iam Tongi, winner of Season 21 of American Idol, attended the "Chief of War" red carpet premiere event last night.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Iam Tongi, winner of Season 21 of "American Idol," attends the "Chief of War" red carpet premiere event on July 18, 2025.
Gov. Josh Green gives Makana McClellan, who is his director of communications, a hug on the red carpet.
Tori DeJournett
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HPR
Gov. Josh Green gives Makana McClellan, his director of communications, a hug on the red carpet.
Kaina Makua, who plays King Kamehameha in the "Chief of War" Apple TV+ series, runs off the red carpet to receive a lei.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Kaina Makua runs off the red carpet to receive a lei.
Stan Walker, a Māori music artist, walks the "Chief of War" red carpet before performing later on July 18, 2025.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Stan Walker, a Māori music artist, walks the red carpet before performing later on July 18, 2025.
Jason Momoa talks to the press during the "Chief of War" red carpet.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Jason Momoa talks to the press on the "Chief of War" red carpet.
Te Ao o Hinepehinga plays Kupuohi, the wife of Ka'iana ( Jason Momoa's character) in "Chief of War."
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Te Ao o Hinepehinga plays Kupuohi, the wife of Kaʻiana (Jason Momoa's character) in "Chief of War." (July 18, 2025)
Siua Ikale'o plays Nahiʻ, the younger brother of Kaʻiana in "Chief of War." (July 18, 2025)
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Siua Ikaleʻo plays Nahiʻ, the younger brother of Kaʻiana, in "Chief of War." (July 18, 2025)
From left to right: Junyer King, Jerome Taito and Uncle Lui of the local band Common Kings on the red carpet before their performance on July 18, 2025.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
From left to right: Junyer King, Jerome Taito and Uncle Lui of the local band Common Kings on the red carpet before their performance on July 18, 2025.
Hawaii New Now's Billy V giving Mainei Kinimaka a high five on the red carpet last night.
Tori DeJournett
/
HPR
Billy V of Hawaii News Now high-fives actress Mainei Kinimaka on the red carpet.

Read and listen to past coverage from HPR:

Jason Momoa in "Chief of War," premiering Aug. 1, 2025 on Apple TV+.
The Conversation
'Chief of War' co-creator on telling Hawaiian stories in Hollywood
Jason Ubay
Kaina Makua plays Kamehameha in "Chief of War" on Apple TV+.
Local News
Why 'Chief of War' showrunners chose a kalo farmer, not Jason Momoa, to play Kamehameha
Jason Ubay

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Local News EntertainmentTelevisionNative Hawaiian
Tori DeJournett
Tori DeJournett is a digital news producer for Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
See stories by Tori DeJournett
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