Jason Momoa co-created and stars in this epic tale of the unification of the Hawaiian Islands. He plays that titular character, as he works his way thru some violent encounters and too many long scenes of political maneuvering. It reminded me of the Hulu series “Shogun,” in that the visuals are beautiful and the action is impressive, but the long sequences of tribal meetings kept dragging things down. The scenery is gorgeous (ironically, shot 80% in New Zealand due to tax credits) and there’s a rich tapestry of the indigenous culture.  The performances are earnest, even in the native languages. It’s the battles that stand out, esp. the final encounter, which was directed by Momoa. It’s grand, eloquent and the kills are fast, furious and plentiful. As with so many series, this could have benefited from editing, including less chatter and more action. It ended with an obvious setup for a 2^nd season, which hasn’t been officially announced. (2.5 / 5)

Apple TV+ link