The historic significance of the Law of the Splintered Paddle and cultural procedures for war top the list of topics our cohosts delve deeper into in this episode. Plus, the furry, four-legged companion Hawaiians preferred to eat over pork, and actress Te Ao O Hinepehinga shares why she initially struggled with being cast as Kupuohi.

Our cohosts explain the importance of the taro plant to Native Hawaiian culture and, since it’s the midpoint of the series, they address comments and perceptions about the Hawaiian traditions portrayed in the first five episodes. Plus, Hawaiian historian and "Chief of War" cultural consultant Kauʻi Sai-Dudoit shares some behind-the-scenes stories from the scriptwriting process.

Our cohosts unravel the meaning and significance behind the coronation ceremony of Hawaiian chiefs and continue to look closer at Kaʻahumanu’s significance in Hawaiʻi history. Plus, Kaina Makua, the first-time actor playing the monumental role of King Kamehameha the Great, shares his experience on the "Chief of War" set.

Russell and Mehana explain the complicated perspective of marriage in ancient Hawaiʻi and zoom in on how a trade proposal in the series laid the foundation for economic disparity in Hawaiʻi today. Plus, acting legend Branscombe Richmond shares his experience on the set of "Chief of War" and the fallout of so many men in malo on the big screen.

Russell and Mehana discuss the role of Queen Kaʻahumanu in Hawaiʻi’s history and how the Ilikea, the “pale skin” European sailors, are portrayed against the backdrop of the politics of Hawaiʻi’s native people. Plus, the fun and highly amusing categories make a return!

Russell and Mehana look closer at the role of war in Hawaiian history and get excited about the use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, on the big screen. Local filmmaker Fairai Richmond joins as a guest and shares his experience working as a stuntman on "Chief of War."

Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s resident cinephile Russell Subiono and University of Hawaiʻi Hawaiian studies instructor Mehana Makaʻinaʻi discuss why they’re excited about the upcoming ground-breaking Apple TV+ series, “Chief of War,” and share their top three favorite films set in Hawaiʻi ahead of the premiere on Aug. 1.

Join Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi for HPR’s new podcast, Feathers and Fire. They’ll take a closer look at every episode of the new Apple TV+ series, "Chief of War." Plus, special guests will share their behind-the-scenes stories. Listen to the pre-show episode on July 31 and then regular episodes release on Saturdays starting Aug. 2, wherever you get your podcasts.