About Feathers and Fire, a ‘Chief of War’ after-show podcast
From Hawaiʻi Public Radio, the limited series podcast "Feathers and Fire" takes a closer look at the ground-breaking Apple TV+ series “Chief of War.” Join hosts Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi as they provide context and commentary on the nuances of Hawaiian history and culture portrayed in the series, as well as humorous insight and behind-the-scenes stories from guests with ties to the production.
Publisher
Hawaiʻi Public Radio
Category
news · society & culture · tv & film · tv & film · tv & film
Cohosts Mehana Makaʻinaʻi and Russell Subiono share their final thoughts on a historic season. They dive deeper into the significance of the Naha Stone in Kamehameha’s prophecy and the "Chief of War" costume designer sheds some light on a season-long mystery. Plus Mehana and Russell share what they hope to see if there is a season two. Fingers crossed!
27 Sept 2025
Post Season Wrap Up Part II: Strength and Shish Kebabs
Cohosts Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi sit down with Maori actress Te Ao O Hinepehinga, who portrays Kupuohi in “Chief of War.” She shares how a revered Hawaiian activist inspired her portrayal and her reaction to Jason Momoa revealing a critical moment for her character. Such a cheeky response.
20 Sept 2025
Episode 9 Part II: Readiness and Reverence
Cohosts Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi sit down with Hawaiʻi actor Moses Goods, who plays Chief Keʻeaumoku. Goods shares his experience filming the series and who he had just a little too much fun with on set. They literally had to keep them separated.
20 Sept 2025
Episode 9 Part I: Weight and Warfare
Cohosts Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi reflect on the ground-breaking first season of "Chief of War" and discuss the underlying historical battles that the season finale draws from. Plus, they share their predictions about what might happen if there is a season two. One of them really reaches beyond and tries to predict the series through season four.
13 Sept 2025
Episode 8: Bones and Balance
Cohosts Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi go deeper into the Hawaiian burial traditions and explain the concept and importance of mana in Hawaiian culture. Plus, Jason Momoa gives a very candid response to a question about, um, certain dramatic, slow-motion shots that he’s become known for. We had to bleep out part of it.
6 Sept 2025
Episode 7: Foreigners and Flames
Cohosts Mehana Maka’ina’i and Russell Subiono share the history of contact between foreigners and Hawaiians and discuss a forbidden romance between two major characters. Also, they introduce two new categories, and "Chief of War" cultural consultant Kaui Sai-Dudoit shares why Ka’ahumanu isn’t her favorite historical Hawaiian figure.
30 Aug 2025
Episode 6: Splinters and Struggle
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.
23 Aug 2025
Episode 5: Kalo and Kamaʻilo
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.
16 Aug 2025
Episode 4: Rifts and Religion
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.
9 Aug 2025
Episode 3: Bonds and Business
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.
2 Aug 2025
Episode 2: Outcasts and Outsiders
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!
2 Aug 2025
Episode 1: War and Words
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."
31 Jul 2025
Meet your hosts: Russell Subiono and Mehana Makaʻinaʻi
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.
31 Jul 2025
Feathers and Fire | Teaser
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.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
58 ratings
Contact Feathers and Fire, a ‘Chief of War’ after-show podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Feathers and Fire, a ‘Chief of War’ after-show podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
