ContendsNative Hawaiian Woman About Naysayers Criticizing the "Chieftain of War" for its Use of Hawaiian Language Instead of English
In the world of streaming entertainment, a new series is making waves for its commitment to cultural authenticity and historical accuracy – Chief of War, now streaming on Apple TV+.
The TV show, created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Paʻa Sibbett, primarily uses the Hawaiian language, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, to bring audiences an immersive and authentic connection to Hawaiʻi's past. This decision is a deliberate act of cultural restoration and reclamation, reflecting a deep respect for Native Hawaiian history and identity.
Substitute teacher and content creator, Lily Hiʻilani Okimura, has praised this approach, stating that it further normalizes and legitimizes ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to the outside world. In a TikTok video, she emphasized the importance of the Hawaiian language in the series, arguing that choosing to tell a Hawaiian story in Hawaiian is a deliberate act of resistance and cultural restoration.
Set in the unification of the Hawaiian islands, Chief of War features actors speaking ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language. The series' decision to start in the Hawaiian language is significant, as it represents the language these historical figures actually spoke. This choice connects audiences to the lived experience of Hawaiʻi’s past and honors a language that was systematically suppressed following colonization but is now undergoing revitalization.
The series' creators fought to have at least the first two episodes entirely in Hawaiian, with subsequent episodes featuring 40–60% Hawaiian dialogue. This commitment to authenticity required extensive work from cast and crew, many of whom had to learn Hawaiian, demonstrating a commitment beyond surface-level representation.
Moreover, the involvement of Native Hawaiian cultural advisers ensured every element – from scripts to costumes to chants – reflected genuine Hawaiian history and values, making the language an integral part of this collaborative process.
Lily, who started learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in 2020 while studying for her MFA in Hawaiian Theatre, was impressed by the series, particularly the use of Hawaiian in the beginning and whole episodes. She hopes that Chief of War will open the door to more TV shows and movies diving into Hawaiian history and mythology.
However, not everyone has embraced the show's linguistic approach. Some social media users have criticized the series for not being in English. In response, Lily criticizes these complainers as "extremely uncultured and need to get out more." Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) social media users have pushed back against these criticisms, defending the show's commitment to cultural authenticity.
The Hawaiian language ban affected many ʻohana, including Lily's own, preventing them from speaking it at schools or in public. Lily, who is the first in her family to relearn their mother tongue, hopes to teach it to her future children. Her conclusion: "E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi! The Hawaiian language shall live!"
In the end, Chief of War is more than just a TV show. It's a landmark for Native Hawaiian storytelling, providing both a historical account and a cultural reclamation effort. For those interested in learning more about Kānaka Maoli culture and issues, Lily encourages following her on TikTok and Instagram.
- Amanda, a digital marketer, shared her excitement on Twitter about the bestofinternet-tiktok video of Lily Hiʻilani Okimura discussing the importance of Hawaiian language in the trendingnews series, Chief of War.
- In her recent lifestyle blog post, celebrity influencer Emily highlighted the impact of Chief of War on women's content, applauding the series for its representation of Hawaii's history.
- Among the timely topics dominating social media is the debate surrounding Chief of War's choice to primarily use Hawaiian language, as some users argue it is a limitation for the tv shows' global reach.
- The fashion-and-beauty community on Twitter has been buzzing with praises for the traditional costumes and jewelry featured in Chief of War, demonstrating the tv show's commitment to authenticity.
- Some food-and-drink enthusiasts have embraced the series, finding inspiration to explore traditional Hawaiian cuisine and discuss the role of food in historical reenactments.
- With the resurgence of interest in relationships portrayed accurately onscreen, many viewers turn to Chief of War to see how it handles the dynamics between characters based on real historical figures.
- Travelers planning vacations to Hawaii have been drawn to the destinations depicted in Chief of War, seeking to immerse themselves in the culture and untold stories of Kānaka Maoli history.
- In their latest book, renowned authors explore the revitalization of the Hawaiian language and its importance in maintaining cultural identity, citing Chief of War as an example of its significance in entertainment.
- Education-and-self-development websites focus on how TV shows like Chief of War can contribute to personal-growth by increasing awareness of lesser-known aspects of history and encouraging empathy towards other cultures.
- People interested in pop-culture and movies-and-tv reflect upon the implications of Chief of War, discussing its impact on promoting diversity within the entertainment industry.
- Career-development platforms and online job-search sites see a growing demand for skills training in areas like weather forecasting, with an increased interest in learning the Hawaiian language to better understand its unique cultural context.
- Fans of sci-fi-and-fantasy on Facebook fervently debate the potential for exploring Hawaii's mythology and legends in a fictionalized format, inspired by Chief of War's commitment to authenticity.
- Some celebrities and dib-celebs, such as Dwayne Johnson and Keanu Reeves, have voiced their support for Chief of War on social media, citing its contributions to cultural education and empowerment.
- Numerous sports podcasts discuss the impact of basketball rivalries in pre-unification Hawaii, tying in historical events depicted in Chief of War with modern NBA games.
- A growing number of sports-betting platforms feature betting markets for WNBA games, while also offering educational content about the origins and significance of the league in Hawaii's history, thanks to the influence of Chief of War.
- Online bookstores see a surge in demand for novels set in Hawaiʻi, as readers seek to delve deeper into the islands' history and culture, inspired by Chief of War's reclamation efforts.
- Education forums and websites discussing entertainment and pop-culture emphasize the importance of cultural representation in movies and TV, highlighting Chief of War's significant impact in fostering a greater appreciation of Native Hawaiian history and promoting inclusivity within the industry.
