Episode 1: War and Words

By Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi

Published August 2, 2025 at 12:01 AM HST

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Russell and Mehana look closer at the role of war in Hawaiian history and get excited about the use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, on the big screen. Local filmmaker Fairai Richmond joins as a guest and shares his experience working as a stuntman on "Chief of War."

Feathers and Fire

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Episode 2: Outcasts and Outsiders

Russell and Mehana discuss the role of Queen Kaʻahumanu in Hawaiʻi’s history and how the Ilikea, the “pale skin” European sailors, are portrayed against the backdrop of the politics of Hawaiʻi’s native people. Plus, the fun and highly amusing categories make a return!
Meet your hosts: Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi

Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s resident cinephile Russell Subiono and University of Hawaiʻi Hawaiian studies instructor Mehana Makaʻinaʻi discuss why they’re excited about the upcoming ground-breaking Apple TV+ series, “Chief of War,” and share their top three favorite films set in Hawaiʻi ahead of the premiere on Aug. 1.