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,” starring Jason Momoa as a high-status war general who is also a man of few words. Because much of the series is in Hawaiian, the subtitles register all the sounds he employs instead: “growls,” “sighs,” “grunting” and, of course, “groaning, breathing heavily.” It’s thrilling how much he’s able to convey with just a look — Momoa gives a good glare — and a guttural sound.

It’s Momoa’s strongest performance to date, and he is also one of the show’s creators with Thomas Pa’a Sibbett. Much of the cast and crew are Hawaiian as well, a

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