Mainei Kinimaka

Mainei Kinimaka is a professional surfer, actress, and director born and raised in Anahola, Kaua‘i. She comes from a proud lineage of artists, musicians, kumu hula, and legendary water men and women. Deeply connected to her Hawaiian roots, Mainei draws inspiration from the natural beauty of her homeland, its people, and the ocean. Surfing was her first love, sparked by Kaua‘i’s waves, and it continues to shape her creative and personal journey today.

A seasoned athlete, Mainei previously surfed professionally for Roxy for over 15 years and served as a sportscaster for the World Surf League, blending her love for the ocean with media and storytelling.

Mainei's acting career began when her cousin, actor Jason Momoa, mentored her in filmmaking. She landed her first role in Apple's See, the series that marked the launch of the streaming platform. Her performance caught the industry's attention, leading to subsequent roles in the 2022 filmThe Last Manhunt, where she portrayed Carlotta, andthe 2022 psychological thriller Ka Pō, where she played Kanaka Maoli woman confronting her dark past.

Mainei is set to star as Heke in the upcoming Apple TV+ historical drama Chief of War, premiering on August 1, 2025. The series, created by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, tells the epic story of Kaʻiana, a Native Hawaiian warrior striving to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century. Mainei's character, Heke, is the younger sister of Kupuohi, played by Te Ao o Hinepehinga, and the wife of Kaʻiana, portrayed by Momoa. The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast and aims to present Hawaiian history from an indigenous perspective .

Whether through her work in film, on the waves, or in the community, Mainei’s ultimate goal is touplift andrrepresent her Hawaiian community—honoringtheirheritage, sharingtheirstories, and empowering the next generation of Native Hawaiian voices.