Volcano Eruption Enhances Filming of Apple TV+ Series Chief of War

The filming of the highly anticipated historical drama Chief of War by Apple TV+ was marked by a stunning natural event as the Mauna Loa volcano erupted in Hawaii. This extraordinary occurrence coincided with the cast’s shooting schedule, providing a unique backdrop for the series, which stars and is co-written by Jason Momoa. The show delves into the complex history of the Pacific Islands during the tumultuous 19th Century, featuring a predominantly Polynesian cast.

Much of the filming took place in New Zealand, but pivotal scenes were shot in Hawaii, where the eruption of Mauna Loa added an unexpected layer of intensity. According to Te Kohe Tuhaka, who plays Kaʻiana’s brother Namakeʻ, the timing of the volcanic eruption was remarkable. “We arrived, our first day of the shoot, the volcano goes off,” Tuhaka recounted. “And then, when we wrapped, as soon as our last day there, wrap was called, boom. It stopped.”

Natural Beauty Enhances Production

This striking volcanic activity not only provided a stunning visual for the series but also created an atmosphere filled with energy and significance. Momoa, reflecting on the event, expressed that the eruption felt like a powerful omen. “You can’t write that,” he shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “You’re obviously stirring up a lot of spirits and mana. It was unbelievable, but there was a really positive energy.”

The cast and crew embraced this natural phenomenon as a sign that they were honoring Hawaii’s rich history. Tuhaka noted, “Because of the way I love my culture, I read into those things quite a lot. Personally, I went, ‘Oh, that is a beautiful sign, a beautiful Hawaiian sign that this is something that is waking up the land in some way.’”

Exciting Scenes Await Viewers

As for the content of the show, Tuhaka remains tight-lipped about specific details but hinted at a thrilling action sequence in the season finale. “Without giving too much away, there is a scene in [episode] nine… that’s all I can really say to it,” he teased. “But it was physically demanding; it required an intense focus which I haven’t had to lean into before and it caps everything off really, really nicely. Episode nine, epic scene. So, keep watching.”

“It was intense and beautiful at the same time, and pretty overwhelming,” Tuhaka added, describing the experience of filming against the backdrop of the lava fields of Kalapana.

Chief of War continues to air on Fridays on Apple TV+, and audiences eagerly await the culmination of this dramatic tale, enriched by the powerful natural events that surrounded its creation.