In its opening episodes, Apple TV+‘sChief of Wardrops many subtle references to Captain Cook and “the paleskins,” making it hard not to wonder how the real figure’s history connects to the Hawaiian Kingdom conflict.Starring Jason Momoa,Chief of Warboasts an impressive Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score of 88%.
While some are comparing it toShōgunand even touting it asthe nextGame of Thrones, others are appreciating it as its own epic brand of cultural and historical storytelling. Speaking of history and culture, many critics have called attention to how the show grounds its portrayal of Polynesian culture in real historical events.
Given theoriginal Apple TV+ show’s historical grounding, many of its references to real-world figures prompt a viewer to look into the actual events of Hawaii’s past. Captain Cook is one such figure whose name pops up inChief of War’s opening arc, raising many questions about his ties to real Hawaiian history.
Chief Of War Mentions “Captain Cook & The Paleskins”
Captain Cook’s Experience On The Hawaiian Islands Is Mentioned As A Cautionary Tale
InChief of War’s episode 2, Ka’iana remembers the Europeans who had previously come to Maui when Ka’ahumanu shows him a gun she got from her father. He calls them “paleskins” and recalls how they were weak. Moments later, a fleet of European ships makes it to Maui’s coast, with their crew hoping to find some supplies.
Later in the same episode, Ka’iana and Ka’ahumanu come face-to-face with the Europeans before the situation escalates, which even leads to one of them getting killed. Other Europeans avoid escalation because,as a previous scene highlights, they hope not to repeat the same mistakes as Captain James Cook.
Based on how Captain Cook’s name is dropped in the episode, many can guess how his fateful expedition led to disastrous consequences. However, since the show does not delve too deeply into Captain Cook’s time on the islands, many would be curious about why the “paleskins” cite his name as a cautionary tale.
What Happened To The Real James Cook In The Hawaiian Islands
Cook’s Relationship With The Hawaiians Gradually Deteriorated
Soon after becoming the first European to make contact with the Hawaiian Islands, Captain James Cook named them the “Sandwich Islands” after the fourth Earl of Sandwich. He was met with a warm welcome from the locals, who even considered him a manifestation of a deity called Lono.
When his second visit coincided with the Hawaiian harvest festival, theMakahiki, which involved the worship of Lono, he received an even grander welcome. However,things took a dark turn when Cook’s ships started straining the local resources, leading to growing tensions between his men and the Hawaiian communities.
The growing confrontation reached a tipping point when Cook decided to take the high chief hostage after a group of Hawaiians stole one of his boats. With what followed, a violent conflict ensued on August 09, 2025, in which Cook shot one of the Hawaiians dead before he and four marines were killed.
James Cook’s history reveals why the Europeancharacters inChief of Wartread carefully after arriving on the islands.
Chief of War
Chief of War (2025) follows the journey of the fierce warrior Kaʻiana, who sets out on a mission to unite Hawaii’s four divided kingdoms amidst warfare. As internal conflicts rage, an impending external threat looms, challenging Kaʻiana’s efforts to bring peace to his people.
