‘Chief of War’ star, respected Kauaʻi cultural practitioner Kaina Makua to give keynote at Toastmasters conference

Respected Kauaʻi cultural practitioner, educator, community leader and star of the Apple TV+ series “Chief of War” Kaina Makua will be keynote speaker for Toastmasters District 49 2026 Annual Conference and International Speech Contest this spring on Oʻahu.

Makua of Waimea brings a powerful blend of ancestral knowledge, servant leadership and contemporary influence to this year’s conference theme “Cultivating Growth with Aloha.”

He made his acting debut this summer in “Chief of War,” portraying Kamehameha I in the TV series about the unification of the Hawaiian Islands that has been described as the first-ever scripted drama about the history of Hawaiʻi.

Makua’s casting in the series co-created and co-executive produced by Jason Momoa, who also stars in the series as Kaʻiana, marked a historic moment for Native Hawaiian and indigenous representation in global media grounded in lived cultural knowledge and leadership.

The Kauaʻi native is co-founder and executive director of West Kauaʻi nonprofit and social enterprise Kumano I Ke Ala, where he leads initiatives dedicated to restoring ancestral relationships to ʻāina through education, food systems revitalization and Hawaiian language immersion.

“Kaina Makua embodies the very essence of leadership rooted in purpose, culture and service,” said Toastmasters District 49 Director Lynn Araki-Regan in an announcement about the conference and Makua’s participation.

He is a lifelong kalo farmer raised on his family’s farm in West Kauaʻi who has a master’s degree in Hawaiian language education. Makua spent more than a decade teaching in Native Hawaiian charter and immersion schools.

His commitment to ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and traditional agriculture also led to the founding of Aloha ʻĀina Poi Co., a grassroots effort to restore kalo cultivation and expand community access to this vital Native Hawaiian staple.

Makua continues to serve West Kauaʻi through his work with schools, youth and as head coach of the Kilohana Hoe Waʻa canoe club in Waimea — guided by traditional Hawaiian models of servant leadership and ensuring aloha ʻāina remains a priority and kuleana for Hawaiʻi.

“His voice and lived experience will inspire our members and guests to lead with authenticity, humility and aloha,” said Toastmasters District 49 Program Quality Director Jan Cerizo in the conference announcement.

Toastmasters District 49 Annual Conference and International Speech Contest is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2, 2026, in the South Pacific Ballroom at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu.

The conference — sponsored MTX and Kevin and Susan Doyle — will also feature the International Speech Contest, awards, a silent auction, continental breakfast and buffet lunch. Early bird registration is available through Jan. 6, 2026.

Visit the Toastmaster District 49 website for additional information, registration details and sponsorship opportunities.