"Jason Momoa"

Jason Momoa’s New Chapter: A Hawaiian Epic and Personal Reckonings

In an expansive conversation on SmartLess, Jason Momoa walks listeners through a career and life that weave risk, creativity, and family legacy. He describes his passion project Chief of War, the challenges of filming epic sequences on lava fields, the decision to tell Hawaiian history in Alelo (the native language), and intimate moments that reshaped his priorities — including a near-drowning that led to quitting smoking.

Chief of War: a 1790s Hawaiian drama told in Alelo language

Momoa explains how Chief of War grew from a decade-long obsession with King Kamehameha and the island unification story. He co-created and co-wrote the series to represent Hawaiian history from the inside out, working with pan-Polynesian actors and craftspeople so costumes and material culture were authentic. The series is primarily in the Alelo language with subtitles and gradually includes English, a deliberate creative choice to respect cultural authenticity while reaching global audiences.

Filming on lava fields and unexpected natural spectacle

The episode recounts a striking production anecdote: while planning an enormous finale shot on a Big Island lava field, Momoa’s team saw Mauna Loa and Kilauea erupt in real life. He describes how he structured the shoot — directing multiple units and shooting sequences in reverse — to capture consistent light and choreography while respecting safety and air-quality concerns.

Survival at sea and life-changing perspective

Momoa shares a visceral account of nearly drowning during a long paddle off Maui. Out in a dangerous current with a snapped leash and exhausted limbs, he credits a combination of hard training, a nearby rescuer, and faith in his ancestors for his survival. That brush with death became a turning point: he quit heavy smoking and reconstituted his priorities toward family, filmmaking, and healthier habits.

From Baywatch to Game of Thrones to director and producer

Tracing his arc from folding shirts in a surf shop to acting on Baywatch Hawaii, Momoa highlights the practical education he got making small projects. He wrote, directed, and produced his own films to avoid waiting for opportunities, and later used fame from larger franchises to fund personal projects. He describes the satisfaction of being responsible for multiple creative roles — and his preference for being behind the camera when possible.

Family, mentoring, and passing the torch

One of the most emotional threads is Momoa’s pride in his children. He recounts how his 16-year-old son Wolf auditioned and earned a role in Dune, a moment that has brought both professional pride and parental awe. Momoa talks about traveling with family, teaching work ethic through example, and building a creative home base by developing studios in New Zealand and Hawaii.

Daily rituals, personal health, and small business ventures

Between tales of lava and stunts, Momoa keeps things grounded with anecdotes about shower routines, creams, rock climbing, casual eating, and how he maintains fitness by doing activities he loves. He also mentions entrepreneurial pursuits like a Montana-based vodka company and plans to centralize production between New Zealand and Hawaii.

Why this conversation matters: Momoa’s interview stitches together the practical — how to build culturally authentic historical dramas and manage complex shoots — with the personal: survival, family, and identity. Whether you’re curious about indigenous storytelling on streaming platforms, filmmaking logistics on volcanic terrain, or how near-death experiences reorder priorities, Momoa’s account is both informative and surprisingly intimate.