Most people know Jason Momoa as the strong star from Aquaman. But behind his love for Hawaii and the ocean is his father, Joseph Momoa. Joseph helped Jason learn about his Hawaiian roots from a young age.
Joseph did not raise Jason every day. Jason grew up mainly with his mother in Iowa. His father stayed in Hawaii. Still, the long distance did not stop Joseph from being part of his son’s life.
So, who is Joseph Momoa? In this article, we will look at his early life, family, work, and bond with Jason. We will also see how his love for Hawaii and the sea became an important part of Jason’s life.
Who Is Joseph Momoa?
Joseph Momoa is best known as the father of Hollywood actor Jason Momoa. But Joseph has his own story too. He is an artist and has been described as a painter. He has spent much of his life in Hawaii.
Joseph loves art, nature, and the ocean. He is also known as a waterman. He enjoys life on and around the sea. Surfing, paddling, and canoeing have all been part of his life.
His name became better known as Jason became famous. Yet Joseph has mostly stayed away from Hollywood life. He seems happy with a quieter life connected to Hawaii, art, family, and the water.
Joseph Momoa’s Early Life
Joseph Momoa was raised in Hawaii. The islands became a big part of who he was. The sea was not just a nice view for him. It was part of his daily life and the way he saw the world.
Joseph spent a lot of time around the water. Reports say he enjoyed surfing, canoeing, paddling, and other water sports. These activities helped build his strong love for the ocean.
Hawaii also gave Joseph a strong sense of home. This became clear later when he tried spending longer periods in Iowa. Being far from the islands was not easy for him. Hawaii was the place where he felt most at home.
Joseph Momoa profile summary and bio
| Full Name | Joseph Momoa |
| Known For | Jason Momoa’s father |
| Birthplace | Hawaii, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Native Hawaiian |
| Age | Not confirmed |
| Birthday | Not confirmed |
| Height | Not confirmed |
| Profession | Painter, artist |
| Ex-Wife | Coni Momoa |
| Son | Jason Momoa |
| Grandchildren | Lola, Nakoa-Wolf |
| Home | Hawaii |
| Interests | Art, surfing, ocean |
| Famous For | Hawaiian roots, Jason’s father |
| Social Media | No known verified account |
Joseph Momoa’s Family Background
Joseph Momoa comes from a Hawaiian family background. His roots helped him build a close link with Hawaiian life and culture. These roots later became important to his son as well.
Some reports also say Joseph has Samoan roots. However, not every source gives the same details about his family tree. For this reason, it is better not to make claims that have not been clearly proven.
What is clear is that Joseph wanted Jason to understand where his family came from. Jason may have grown up in Iowa, but his father helped him stay connected to Hawaii. This gave Jason a link to both the mainland and the islands.
Joseph Momoa and Coni Momoa
Joseph was in a relationship with Coni Momoa, who is also known as Coni Lemke. Coni is an artist and photographer. Together, they became parents to Jason Momoa.
Jason was born on August 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His full name is Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa. However, Joseph and Coni’s relationship did not last.
Reports say they separated when Jason was still a baby. Coni moved with Jason to Iowa, while Joseph stayed in Hawaii. From that point, Jason’s childhood was mainly spent far away from his father.
Joseph Momoa’s Son Jason Momoa
Jason Momoa grew up mainly in Norwalk, Iowa. His mother took care of him and worked hard to give him a good life. Jason has said that his mother sometimes worked several jobs to support them.
Jason was the only child born to Joseph and Coni. His childhood was shaped by two very different places. Iowa was where he grew up each day. Hawaii was where part of his family and roots remained.
As Jason got older, his link with Hawaii became stronger. He spent time there and learned more about his father’s side of the family. This helped him understand a part of himself that was harder to know while growing up in Iowa.
Why Joseph Momoa Did Not Raise Jason
Joseph Momoa did not live with Jason for most of his childhood. This was because Jason’s parents had separated. Coni raised Jason in Iowa, while Joseph continued his life in Hawaii.
The distance between them was large. Reports say Joseph tried spending longer periods in Iowa when Jason was young. But being away from Hawaii was hard for him. The islands were his home, and he missed the life he knew there.
Still, Joseph knew Jason had a strong mother. Coni worked hard to care for their son. Joseph remained connected to Jason even though he was not there for his son’s daily life.
Joseph Momoa and Jason’s Father-Son Bond
Living far apart did not mean Joseph and Jason had no relationship. As Jason grew older, he began spending more time with his father and his Hawaiian family.
Reports say Jason started making important visits to Hawaii when he was around 12 years old. He also spent summers on Oahu. These trips gave father and son time together that they did not have during Jason’s normal life in Iowa.
During these visits, Joseph could show Jason a different world. Jason learned about the sea, his family roots, and life in Hawaii. Their father-son bond helped him connect two important parts of his life: the Midwest home where he grew up and the Hawaiian home of his father.
Joseph Momoa Taught Jason to Love the Ocean
The ocean has always been a big part of Joseph Momoa’s life. He grew up in Hawaii and spent a lot of time near the sea. Reports say he enjoyed surfing, canoeing, and paddling.
Joseph shared this love with Jason. When Jason visited Hawaii, his father helped him feel at home near the water. Jason learned that the ocean was not just a place for fun. It was also part of his family and Hawaiian roots.
Years later, Jason became famous for playing Aquaman. The hero has a deep link with the sea. This made the role feel special for Joseph. His son was now playing an ocean hero after growing up with a father who loved the water.
Joseph Momoa Taught Jason About Hawaii
Jason grew up in Iowa, but Joseph Momoa helped him learn about Hawaii. Jason visited the islands and spent time with his father’s side of the family. These trips helped him learn more about where he came from.
Jason has also spoken about feeling like an outsider at times. He was born in Hawaii, but he did not grow up there full-time. His life in Iowa was very different from his time on the islands.
Joseph helped him understand both sides of his life. Jason could love the Midwest where he was raised while also being proud of his Hawaiian roots. As he got older, Hawaii became an even bigger part of his life and work.
Joseph Momoa Supported Jason’s Dreams
As a young man, Jason had many interests. He loved the outdoors and the ocean. Reports say he also studied subjects linked to marine biology for a time.
Jason once wanted to spend more time in Hawaii. But Joseph wanted his son to learn as much as he could on the mainland. He told Jason that Hawaii would always be there when he was ready to return.
Jason’s life later took a very different path. He moved into modeling and acting. He landed an early role on Baywatch: Hawaii and slowly built his name. Joseph continued to support his son’s path as his career grew.
Joseph Momoa’s Reaction to Jason’s Fame
Jason Momoa did not become a huge star overnight. He worked for years before getting some of his biggest roles. Game of Thrones helped millions of people notice him when he played Khal Drogo.
Jason later joined the DC movie world as Aquaman. This role turned him into an even bigger star. For Joseph, the role had a special meaning because Aquaman’s story is closely tied to the ocean.
Joseph has spoken with pride about his son. He was happy to see Jason build a successful life. Jason’s fame also brought together many things Joseph had shared with him as a boy, including a love for water and Hawaii.
Where Is Joseph Momoa Now?
As of 2026, Joseph Momoa keeps much of his daily life private. Unlike his famous son, he does not spend much of his time in the public eye. This means there is limited trusted information about his day-to-day life.
Joseph has long been known for his love of Hawaii, art, and the ocean. He has been described as a painter and artist. These interests show another side of the Momoa family, where art and nature have both played important roles.
Joseph is also a grandfather. Jason shares two children, Lola Iolani Momoa and Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, with his ex-wife Lisa Bonet. In this way, the Momoa family story has moved into a new generation.
(FAQs)
How old is Joseph Momoa, and when is his birthday?
Joseph Momoa’s exact age and birthday are not publicly confirmed. He is Jason Momoa’s father and is from Hawaii. Jason was born in 1979.
How tall is Joseph Momoa?
Joseph Momoa’s exact height is not publicly known. Some websites may give numbers, but there is no strong source confirming his height.
Who is Joseph Momoa’s wife?
Joseph Momoa was married to Coni Momoa, Jason Momoa’s mother. They separated when Jason was still a baby. Coni later raised Jason mainly in Iowa.
What is Joseph Momoa’s nationality?
Joseph Momoa is American. He comes from Hawaii and has a strong connection to Hawaiian culture and life.
What is Joseph Momoa’s ethnicity?
Joseph Momoa is widely described as Native Hawaiian. Some sources also report Samoan ancestry on Jason Momoa’s father’s side.
Final Thoughts
Joseph Momoa did not raise Jason every day, but he still had an important place in his son’s life. Jason grew up mainly with his mother in Iowa. His father remained in Hawaii and helped him stay close to his Hawaiian roots.
Joseph shared his love for the sea, nature, and island life with Jason. Those lessons stayed with his son as he grew older. They can even be seen in Jason’s love for the ocean and his famous role as Aquaman.
Today, most people know Joseph because he is Jason Momoa’s father. But his story is also about family, distance, culture, and a father-son bond. Even while living far apart, Joseph helped Jason understand where he came from and gave him a love for Hawaii that has stayed with him.
Also Read: Tee Morant: Everything to Know About Ja Morant’s Father
