Jason Momoa's new Apple TV+ historical drama series, Chief of War, which premiered August 1, 2025, is a deeply personal project for the actor, and it includes a special appearance by his father, Joseph Momoa. Momoa revealed that his dad has a cameo in the series, playing the role of a man blowing the conch shell.
Momoa shared his excitement about his father's involvement in an interview with NBC News on the Today show. He explained that blowing the conch shell isn't just a random role for the show, but something his father has always proudly done at special gatherings. Seeing his father in costume and participating in the series was a "pretty beautiful moment" for Momoa.
Chief of War is a nine-episode series that Momoa co-created and executive produced. He also stars in the lead role as Kaʻiana, a Hawaiian warrior. The series tells the story of the unification and colonization of Hawaii in the late 18th century from an indigenous perspective. The series begins at the end of the 18th century when the four major kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands were at war: Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. The series follows Kaʻiana, a warrior chief (aliʻi) of Kauaʻi who travels outside the islands as the "most famous Hawaiian in the world", returns home and joins a bloody campaign until he rebels against the unification of Hawaiʻi that took place from 1782 to 1810 under Kamehameha I. Momoa's passion for the project stems from his desire to honor his culture and heritage. He stated that he has "never seen anything quite like this show".
The series is based on true events surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. Momoa's connection to the story is profound; he and co-creator Thomas Paʻa Sibbett are direct descendants of characters in the series. The show boasts a predominantly Polynesian cast, including Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikaleʻo, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, and Te Kohe Tuhaka.
Momoa's father isn't the only Aquaman alum to appear in Chief of War. Temuera Morrison, who played Momoa's father in the Aquaman films, reunites with Momoa in Chief of War, this time as Chief Kahekili.
Jason Momoa was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and his father is Hawaiian, hailing from Nanakuli. Momoa has spoken about the important role his father continues to play in his life. His father is a coach at an outrigger canoe club, where Momoa learned to surf. Chief of War is not the first time one of Momoa's parents has appeared in his projects.
Chief of War was co-created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett. Momoa and Sibbett co-wrote all episodes, with assistance on Hawaiian language dialogue provided by staff of Awaiaulu, an archiving and translation company based in Honolulu. Justin Chon directed the first two episodes. The series was filmed in New Zealand, with the Bay of Islands standing in for 18th-century Hawaiʻi. Major battle scenes were filmed in the lava fields of Kalapana.
