Siua Ikale’o: A Tongan talent’s rise to stardom in Chief of War series

When audiences tune into Apple TV+’s Chief of War, one of the standout performances comes from a Tongan actor, who carries both his heritage and craft with humility.

Siua Ikale’o plays Nahi’, a brother of Jason Momoa’s character, Ka’iana, who was born in the United States, with his roots running deep into the island kingdom.

Named Siosiua Fe’aomoeata by a father from Fatumu and a mother from ‘Uiha, Ikale’o explains the origins of his stage name in an interview on 531pi’s Pacific Days. “Ikale’o is the name of my ancestor that I brought back to use as a stage name in pursuing this acting career.”

Ikale’o is known for his role as Drew in the television show, Normal Ain’t Normal, which follows the challenges faced by working-class minorities in the United States. He also played Dragon in the supernatural horror, They Don’t Cast Shadows.

In 2022, Ikale’o made his television debut with a guest appearance in CBS’ NCIS: Hawai’i, portraying the hitman, Ricky Sio.

Though he was born abroad, Ikale’o’s spent his formative years in Tonga after his parents returned to fulfill their calling in the church ministry.

Growing up in Lavengamalie

Life in Lavengamalie shaped both Ikale’o’s faith and creative spark, and it was through trial and error that he discovered his path to acting.

“As a young man, I was trying to find my way. I tried rugby - I wasn’t that good, I can sing decently,” he jokes.

“But when I did a school skit, something connected with the audience. That was the first time I realised acting was for me.”

Siua Ikale'o's father at the pedestal. Photo/Instagram

From hobby to passion

Back in the US, acting started as a sideline while Ikale’o worked a nine-to-five job to support his family and church. He joined student short film projects on the weekends.

“It was mostly a hobby for me,” he says. “A lot of my family and friends didn’t know I was going out and doing these short films…for me it was just a creative fix.”

Ikale’o honed his craft with multiple community organisations, college students, and aspiring filmmakers, who were experimenting creatively. This quiet persistence laid the foundation for what was to come.

Landing Nahi’

After nearly a decade of building experience, that “little hobby” eventually led to his breakthrough role in Chief of War, created by Thomas Paʻa Sibbett and Momoa.

Ikale’o says the audition process was long. He first read for the role of King Kamehameha, then for a villain, before finally being cast as Nahi’.

“They really tested the range of my acting,” he says. “I like to say all of us who got cast took that amount of time to be ready. If I didn’t go through everything I did in my own life over the past 10 years, it would have been a different story.”

Brothers in arms, (from left) Te Kohe Tuhaka as Namake, Jason Momoa as Ka'iana, and Siua Ikale'o as Nahi'. Photo/Supplied

Playing the outspoken Nahi’ was also a personal stretch for Ikale’o. “On screen, Nahi’ is loud and outspoken - very different from who I am in real life,” Ikale’o says grinning.

Respect for Hawaiian language

For Ikale’o, a key challenge was learning ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i - Hawaiian language - despite being fluent in Lea faka-Tonga.

“I assumed it would be easy because I speak Tongan, but the beauty of ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i, it has its own rhythm and softness,” he says.

At one point Ikale’o imposed a ban on himself from speaking Tongan on set to avoid mixing the sounds. This self-imposed sanction was supported by one of the language coaches, Keawe Goodhue.

“The language coach, Keawe Goodhue, got me close enough to sounding correct and I got on a phone call with my aunty Alisi…we were going off in Tongan…it only took five minutes to destroy the whole progress we made.”

Still, the process deepened his respect for the language. “This is their language. Every single cast member on the show, we made sure that we were going to be as authentic as possible.”

Dreaming of Tongan stories

The experience has inspired Ikale’o to see more Tongan stories being told on such a high calibre. He welcomes the idea of sharing Tongan histories and hopes to support anyone willing to get the ball rolling.

“There are so many creative minds out there. We can all come together and make something from our own stories.”

Words for the next generation

Ikale’o encourages young Tongan people to seize opportunities with humility. While it may seem daunting to break traditional family expectations, he believes that respect and constant prayer will affirm their journey.

His advice is simple: “Don’t close any doors God opens. But if you walk through them, do it with respect.”