The quiet ruptures into struggle as his character Ka‘iana, a revered Hawaiian chief, lassoes a shark—man and predator locked in a primal dance of survival. It’s a feat of strength and a statement of defiance from a warrior unafraid of whatever the ocean,

Starting in the late 1700s, a bloody series of conflicts between competing kingdoms jostling for power ultimately resulted in the unification of the Hawaiian islands in 1810. That drawn-out process is brought to life in the Apple TV+ historical epic “Chief of War,

While Apple TV+ describes Chief of War as “based on true events,” allowing Momoa and the production team to add their own twist to real events, the tale is rooted in the harrowing true story of Chief Ka‘iana (played by Momoa). Here’s everything you need to know about his influential role in Hawaii’s history.