Te Kohe Tuhaka on Playing Jason Momoa’s Ancestor in Chief of War – INTERVIEW

Te Kohe Tuhaka brings Hawaiian history to life in Chief of War.

Performed by a predominantly Polynesian cast led by Jason Momoa, Chief of War is Apple TV+’s sweeping historical epic chronicling the unification and colonization of Hawai‘i at the turn of the 18th century. The series also stars Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, and Te Kohe Tuhaka, who plays a pivotal character in this rarely portrayed chapter of Hawaiian history.

In a heartfelt conversation with Nerdtropolis, Te Kohe Tuhaka shared the cultural gravity, artistic challenge, and deeply personal experiences behind filming this monumental series.

Representing Lineage and Language

For Tuhaka, Chief of War is more than just a show—it’s a continuation of his career-long mission to honor indigenous stories. “My career has followed a post- and pre-colonization era both here in Aotearoa and now in Chief of War, set in the beautiful islands of Hawai‘i,” he explained. “We, here in Aotearoa, look to the Hawaiian islands as Big Brother, Big Sister. We have lineage that tells stories of how we migrated from those islands.”

The cultural weight of portraying such history wasn’t lost on him. Tuhaka plays Namakeha, an ancestor of Jason Momoa’s character and middle brother among three key figures in the narrative.

“There was real responsibility in carrying that lineage, honoring that kupuna, and fully leaning into Hawaiian culture and language,” he said. “We had so much support around learning the language, understanding the rituals. There was no better way to honor that than by throwing myself into it wholeheartedly.”

Crafting Human Connections Through History

While Chief of War tells a grand, historical story, Tuhaka emphasized its emotional relatability. “There’s a human level that everybody can relate to,” he said. “Family dynamics, monarchies clashing—these are universal. The time period might be different, but those human stories and connections still exist.”

With Apple TV+ providing the show a massive global platform, he hopes it will open doors both locally and internationally. “I want Hawaiians to see themselves and their ancestors on this scale, and for the rest of the world to recognize the beauty and depth of these stories.”

Shooting in Hawai‘i and Aotearoa

Filming took place in both Hawai‘i and New Zealand, and while both locations offered natural beauty, the conditions weren’t always kind. “I had a really hard time shooting in Aotearoa because it was the middle of winter,” Tuhaka recalled. “I made it very known on Instagram—I was struggling to feel Hawaiian when the temperature was near freezing!”

But the Hawaiian crew helped him push through. “Sometimes I just needed someone to hold me and remind me what Hawai‘i felt like,” he laughed.

The Role That Demanded It All

Portraying Namakeha wasn’t just emotionally heavy—it required full physical and spiritual immersion. “I leaned into understanding Hawaiian ritual—Ava ceremonies, bone preparation, ocean connection,” Tuhaka said. “I’m an ocean man, so exploring the ocean’s relationship to the land and people was something I deeply connected with.”

Namakeha, he said, is the “calm between two storms,” acting as a stabilizer between his brothers’ chaos. The performance required stillness and precision. “This project taught me how to rein it in. Even with a volcano in the background and the ocean roaring beside me, I had to remember the performance lives in this little box—right here.”

Community, Culture, and Karaoke

Despite the heavy themes, Tuhaka recalled lighter moments that made the experience unforgettable—particularly one evening in Kalapana on the lava fields of Hilo. “We were welcomed by the local Kanaka, and one weekend we joined them for a karaoke night,” he said. “We ate incredible food, sang songs, and listened to their stories—why they love their islands, their people. I’ll never forget those moments.”

And yes—his go-to karaoke song? “Dr. Hook’s ‘Sexy Eyes,’” he laughed.

Evolving as an Artist

Having worked across stage, film, and television, Chief of War marked a new chapter for Tuhaka as a performer. “This was the biggest project I’ve ever worked on. The scale was massive,” he said. “It challenged me to match that scale emotionally, to deliver something authentic and restrained at the same time.”

Why Episode One—and Episode Nine—Matter Most

While he was careful to avoid spoilers, Tuhaka said two episodes stand out. “Episode one sets up everything. No distractions. Watch it fully focused,” he said. “And then… episode nine. I won’t say anything else. Just… episode nine.”

With Chief of War, Te Kohe Tuhaka not only brings authenticity and reverence to the screen but reaffirms the importance of telling indigenous stories with power, care, and pride.

Stream the limited series now on Apple TV+.

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