Jason Momoa’s love for Hawaii runs deep, as he feels a profound connection to the islands that is tied to his roots, culture, and the natural beauty surrounding him.
In a recent exclusive interview with Travel + Leisure, Momoa expressed, “I love other places, and I would probably live in other places more, but this just feels like home.”
He elaborated on his emotional bond with the islands, describing the unique sensory experiences Hawaii offers, including the feel of the water, the texture of the sand, and the scent of the air.
“It’s just a deep connection,” he stated. “It’s where I’m from. It’s where I was born. It’s my culture. It’s a wonderful thing to come home. This is where I’m rooted.”
When he visits Hawaii, Momoa gravitates towards familiar locations, particularly his favorite beach, Makaha, located on the west side of Oʻahu.
“My family beach is Makaha. I love Waimea just because it’s like being a kid,” he reminisced, recalling the joy of rock climbing and playing in the shorebreak during his childhood.
He added that he has “good memories” of spending time on the beaches at Mokule’ia, further cementing his fondness for the area.
Despite his passion for Makaha, Momoa spends a considerable amount of time on Kauai, which he refers to as “The Garden Isle.”
“I love it there,” he said, describing it as a “great romantic place” and advising newcomers to Hawaii to explore its offerings.
As for traditional Hawaiian dishes, he recommended trying lau lau, kalua pig, and poi, emphasizing the importance of experiencing local cuisine.
Momoa acknowledges the difficulty travelers face when choosing an island to visit, given the diversity of Hawaii’s destinations.
“For those who want to have fun and go into town, Oʻahu serves a lot of different purposes,” he noted.
He also pointed out that Maui remains a popular choice among visitors.
For those who have already visited Oʻahu and Maui, he suggested exploring Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, highlighting the unique characteristics each island possesses.
“Every island has its own spectacular style,” he said, emphasizing that visiting an island with an active volcano adds a special spiritual connection.
“I just feel like any place that’s connected to the Earth and that’s constantly changing, it has a different feeling there,” he shared.
Recalling his first visit to the Big Island, he remarked, “There is a whole other energy going on here.”
As Hawaii’s youngest island, he feels it carries a significant amount of mana, which represents spiritual or supernatural power.
Momoa’s passion for Hawaii is also reflected in his upcoming project, Chief of War, an engaging historical series showcasing the islands’ rich heritage.
Set in Hawaii, the nine-episode series—shot across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, as well as Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand)—features Momoa as the Hawaiian warrior Ka’iana.
The series aims to provide an Indigenous perspective on the unification and colonization of the islands, a theme that resonates deeply with the actor.
“Chief of War is meant to get people to start to see Hawai‘i in a different light,” said co-creator Thomas Pa’a Sibbett.
Sibbett highlighted a desire for a shift in how tourism operates in the islands, urging for a more collaborative approach that involves the local Hawaiian community.
“There’s been a traditional way—and it was always set up this way—where Hawaiians are the host,” Sibbett explained.
He advocated for a new vision where tourists become active participants in the cultural and agricultural growth of the islands, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship.
In light of this, Momoa hopes that more people will understand the significance of Hawaii’s history and culture.
“We are America, and there’s a lot of things that have happened to our culture,” he emphasized.
From an Indigenous viewpoint, he pointed out how important it is to reclaim their identity and heritage, including their arts and traditions.
“I don’t think a lot of people know that we were a kingdom and that we were royalty,” Momoa added, noting Hawaii’s advanced infrastructure in its history.
“I think a lot of people don’t know that we had electricity in our palace before the White House did, that we had our own currency,” he continued.
This rich facet of history forms an integral part of the narrative that Chief of War seeks to portray, as it aims to educate visitors on the true essence of Hawaiian culture.
Momoa concluded with an optimistic view of Hawaii’s future, expressing excitement about bringing more stories of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) heritage to light.
“It’s an exciting time, and I think it’s just going to bring more love and more aloha back here,” he enthused.
“I think there’ll be a flood of Kanaka Maoli stories coming.”
image source from：travelandleisure
