Jason Momoa Gets Coaching for Authentic Hawaiian Speaking in ‘Chief of War’

e window and Metallica blasting. He was preparing for his role in “Chief of War,” the first major TV series featuring the language and culture of Hawaii’s Indigenous people. Momoa worked closely with a language coach, Kahoʻokahi Kanuha, who lived with him for nearly a year to help him speak Hawaiian authentically.

Like many Native Hawaiians, Momoa did not grow up speaking Hawaiian. With the help of coaches like Kanuha, who carried around a binder of lines for Momoa to practice at all times, the actors in the series learned to pronounce the vowel-laden sounds of the language. The goal was to deliver the lines naturally and without distracting the viewer.

The Apple TV series that premiered in August showcases Hawaiian language and culture on a global scale, contributing to the revitalization and normalization of a language that has faced erasure amid colonization. While the series may not be perfect, it serves as a significant representation of the language and culture for young Hawaiians who can now see themselves reflected in mainstream entertainment.

The history of the Hawaiian language includes a dark period where speaking Hawaiian was forbidden and punishable. Efforts to restore Hawaiian as the medium of education in the 1960s and 1970s led to the establishment of immersion schools. While it’s challenging to quantify how many speakers are fluent today, recent Census data show over 30,000 speakers with varying levels of proficiency.

Momoa’s language coach, Kanuha, learned Hawaiian as a second language and now speaks it fluently. His two young sons are growing up speaking Hawaiian as their first language. The show provides an opportunity for his family to enjoy entertainment in their native language, bridging the gap between English-dominated media and their daily lives.

Other actors in the series, like Luciane Buchanan and Cliff Curtis, also had to learn Hawaiian to portray their characters authentically. They shared experiences of language trauma and the challenges of speaking a language they were not familiar with. Despite the apprehension about the outcome of the show, many involved, like Puakea Nogelmeier, who helped with script translation, were pleasantly surprised by the actors’ performances.

The creation of “Chief of War” marks a significant moment for Hawaiian language and culture, providing a visual representation of a world that is often overlooked in mainstream media. The anticipation for news on a potential second season is high, as the show has opened the door for more opportunities to showcase the beauty and richness of the Hawaiian language and culture.