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.
Ms Hurley said the team drew inspiration from the rich cultural history and traditions of the Pacific.
[Maui's fish hook, a symbol deeply rooted in many Pacific Islander cultures, features in Moana 2.(Supplied: Disney)]
They worked closely with anthropologists to trace the origins of Pacific peoples from 2,000 years ago, and the research helped shape the story, providing a foundation for how they approached the cultural elements of the film.
She said the team "worked really hard to find the specificity but also the resonance among all of our communities", an approach that reflected the shared cultural heritage across the Pacific.
[Source: ABC Pacific]
