HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Apple TV+’s “Chief of War” starring Jason Momoa got a lot of behind the scenes help from Hawaiʻi consultants and scholars.
One of them is a Hawaiian artist who created paintings for the promotions and says it was his biggest project ever.
Brook Kapūkuniahi Parker, 64, of Kalihi, is a Hawaiian artist, historian and genealogist who tells a story of Hawaiʻi’s lineage through his masterpieces.
He says he is a descendant of Kamehameha the Great, and his wife, Drena, who manages the business side of things, is related to Maui Chief Piʻilani.
In June, the couple, got an odd-sounding email.
“They asked if we could do a Zoom and they’d like to have a meeting with us, and I was like, ‘Is this a scam or what?’” said Drena Parker.
It turns out the company was a subcontractor for Apple TV+ looking for promotional art for Jason Momoa’s epic series “Chief of War” about Kamehameha’s unification of the islands.
They were sworn to secrecy and Brook Parker had just one month to paint six of the main characters: Kaʻiana, played by Momoa; Kamehameha, played by Kaina Makua of Kauaʻi; Kupuohi, played by Te Ao o Hinepehinga; Keoua, played by Cliff Curtis; Ka’ahumanu, played by Luciane Buchanan; and King Kahekili, played by Temuera Morrison.
“With the paintings, I did all the drawings, pencils one time, all the background one time, feather work one time, because I had used a paper plate for my palette,” said Parker.
“With the skin tones, then I’ve got to slow down. Kahekili was first because he had the most stuff, but they all got done,” he said.
The paintings were set up during screenings and promotional events, including one at Bishop Museum.
“Chief of War” is the biggest project Parker has ever worked on.
“Very happy to see it in that light, introducing it to the world,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for a while now. It’s always been my passion.”
Parker considers late artist Herb Kawainui Kane a mentor.
The couple pours their emotions into being Hawaiian at art. Their work reflects a deep connection to their ancestors that lives in artistry.
“When we watched the movie, we both cried,” said Drena Parker.
“It was sad because it was Hawaiians killing Hawaiians, but it did happen,” she added.
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