Moana will soon set sail across the ocean again, and Disney has engaged cultural consultants to ensure her latest journey stays true to the traditions and stories of the Pacific.
Lāina Kanoa-Wong, a cultural consultant from O'ahu and a key support member of the Oceanic Cultural Trust, and Kalikolehua Hurley, who was born in Kapālama, Honolulu in O'ahu, are both actively involved, helping ensure that Pacific Island cultures are accurately portrayed.
"Our movie Moana 2 leans into Polynesian cultures with a heavy emphasis on Western Polynesian culture, but also of course the inclusion of Eastern Polynesian cultures, because Moana at the time period is a story of all of our ancestors," she said. "But also be ok because it's so fun, it's a new way of telling a story, there's lots of laughs, there's lots of contemporary mentions or aspects to it as well."The Oceanic Cultural Trust and its consultants were key in the collaborative process across the Pacific cultures. Members are experts in anthropology, linguistics, history, language, cultural practices and voyaging.
For instance, Maui's fish hook, a symbol deeply rooted in many Pacific Islander cultures, is particularly significant, Mr Kanoa-Wong said. "We hope that it raises a unique awareness of how awesome and amazing our Oceanic people are, how amazing wayfinding is and how special our culture is."Mr Kanoa-Wong also referenced a specific scene featuring an 'ava ceremony, which has been a highlight in the film's trailer.
"There's a focus on elevating someone into a specific role and then you're seeing a very unique aspect of our culture using 'ava" he said
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