‘We were getting approval’: Momoa knew ‘Chief of War’ was going down right path being blessed by special geological event

Actor, producer, writer and director Jason Momoa told Aloha State Daily that one of his favorite scenes to film in his Apple TV+ epic “Chief of War” was in the finale.

Shot on the Big Island and directed by Momoa, the endgame of the show’s legendary first season titled “The Black Desert” is a great battle between the forces of Kamehameha — which include Momoa’s character Ka‘iana — and those of the Kohala ali‘i’s cousin and Kaʻū adversary Keōua, who had allied with warriors from the the mighty island of Maui.

There was so much emotion and such a high level of drama behind all the events of Season 1 that led the characters to where they are by Episode 9 and the beginning of the battle scene Momoa spoke about that the only way it could end — the only acceptable way — was with an eruption.

And boy did it ever. On screen and IRL.

Most of the battle is fought after a volcanic eruption begins, quickly moving down the mauna and opening fissures and producing lava flows under their feet in the black desert of Kaʻū.

At first, through everyone’s shock and surprise, it seems as though Keōua might gain the upperhand, but Ka‘iana and Kamehameha aren’t that easily beaten.

That doesn’t mean, however, a win on either side won’t come with great loss.

To make sure they portrayed the geological workings and underpinnings of the volcanic islands that make up Hawai‘i just for times such as this in the show, Momoa and “Chief of War” co-creator Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett hired a geologist to work alongside them on the historical drama as a consultant.

Big Island resident, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo grad and “Chief of War” set geologist Michelle Mazzetti spoke about her experience working on the show — and with Momoa — during a talk story event Thursday evening at Hawai‘i Keiki Museum in Waikōloa on the west side of Hawai‘i Island.

Mazzetti shared stories about being on the set of the Hawaiian epic while serving as its on-staff geologist and how her love of science led to the opportunity.

She has been at the forefront of some of the most impactful lava flows in recent years on the Big Island.

Perhaps the most significant was her contribution to efforts of Drone Team 1 through University of Hawai’i at Hilo’s Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Lab in its work for Hawai‘i County Civil Defense during the 2018 lower east Rift Zone eruption and lava flows of Kilauea.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Ken Hon is also one of her mentors.

“Science can take you to some amazing places!” said Hawai‘i Keiki Museum in its announcement about her talk story event.

With all of her bona fides, Mazzetti was in the right place at the right time in her role as set geologist while filming that final episode of the season.

Especially because the cast and crew got a surprise experience of a lifetime during the scripted battle, too.

Mauna Loa — the world’s largest active volcano and Big Island’s second tallest volcano that makes up more than half the island — erupted for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Her sister volcano Kīlauea — the traditional home to Pele the Hawaiian volcano goddess herself — was already erupting when Mauna Loa started sending lava down its Northeast Rift Zone late the night of Nov. 27, 2022 , only just about 3 years ago now.

The two volcanoes hadn’t erupted simultaneously since 1984 — the last year Mauna Loa erupted 38 years prior.

ScreenRant asked Momoa and Sibbett how moments such as Mauna Loa erupting and the dual eruption of it and Kīlauea influence the power and energy of the show’s filming and how they felt it was the land responding to the story they were telling.

“I really thought we were getting approval from our ancestors. I really looked out, I know we were both looking for signs, and also just wanting to know that we’re on the right path,” replied Momoa, who grew up in Iowa and moved to Hawai‘i following high school. “Moments like that, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea to go off at the same time is pretty special.”

Sibbett added they had so many “hōʻailona” — or signs, symbols, omens or marks — present themselves while working on the show.

“We had that all the time. And so for something like this to happen, I would never say that we caused that. But what I’m saying is we’re doing the right thing at the right time to be able to be a part of an energy shift,” he told the online entertainment news outlet.

“Chief of War” still has a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The historical drama set during the early 1800s and attempted unification of Hawai‘i has been praised for its history, action, dynamic, characters and stellar performances.

The first season was shot almost entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Native Hawaiian Language.

Some have even called it the “Game of Thrones” of Hawai‘i.

“Nothing will ever be more important than anything that I’ve just done,” Momoa told online O‘ahu news outlet Aloha State Daily. “This is my life’s goal to do this. … This is like a love letter to our people.”

The show, with episodes ranging from 40 minutes to almost an hour, premiered Aug. 1 and wrapped up Sept. 19. You can stream the entire first season of “Chief of War” now online.

“I hope it sparks everything,” Momoa added. “I hope it revitalizes things. I hope it takes everything to the next level. And let it be the first. And let it ripple out.”