Behind the magic of Moana 2 lies a dedicated crew whose passion and creativity bring stories to life. Join us as we dive into their inspiring journey and the cultural heart that fuels this incredible film.
We were ecstatic to attend a behind-the-scenes preview of the highly anticipated Moana 2 at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, California— and let me tell you, it was absolutely incredible! Being there as the only Pacific media network was a huge honor for us. We were beyond proud to represent our community and bring Pasifika voices into the conversation, asking all the important questions about Pacific Islander representation and so much more!
I’m excited to share a brief behind-the-scenes glimpse of our interviews with the talented team behind the film—directors Dana Ledoux Miller, David G. Derrick, and Jason Hand; producers Yvett Merino and Christina Chen; and cultural consultants Kalikolehua Hurley and Lāina Kanoa-Wong. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak with them.
One of our key moments was when we sat down with Samoan Director and Writer Dana Ledoux Miller, from the Ledoux family in Pago Pago, whose father holds a title in Faga, Savai’i, and with roots in Upolu as well. When we asked her about how her Samoan identity shaped her approach to storytelling, she shared a powerful reflection:
“My father is from Samoa, he’s a matai. I grew up in Long Beach. I had a foot in multiple worlds and I’ve always been proud of being Samoan, and yet often felt disconnected as someone who doesn’t speak the language, who didn’t grow up in Samoa. And it’s something as an adult I’ve really come to take ownership of and be openly proud of who I am and where I come from. I’ll admit that when I was first hired to do the live-action Moana, I felt like I wasn’t Samoan enough to tell this story. But I’ve gone on this journey to really embrace who I am and realize that who I am is exactly the right person to be here. It’s part of my personal growth and it’s given me a lot of confidence. Moana has shaped the way I see myself and helped me build community in a way I haven’t before. Moana gave me a lot of courage and I’ll be forever grateful to her for that.”
– Dana Ledoux Miller
Hearing this was truly moving, and you could feel the deep connection she’s built with her culture. Her vulnerability in sharing her journey makes it all the more special.
We also sat down with Samoan Director David G. Derrick, whose roots are in Taputimu, American Samoa. When we asked about inspiring young Pacific Islanders with Moana 2, he shared a key moment that’s generating a lot of buzz— the ‘ava ceremony scene from the trailer.
David spoke about the importance of seeing specific cultural elements in the film, like the ‘ava ceremony, saying, “When people from that community see those elements, they’ll see themselves in it, and that’s just wonderful.”
Jason Hand, another director of the film, chimed in on the cultural aspect: “The great thing is that we have two people at the helm who come from the culture, but I will say I was in every one of those cultural trust meetings, and the generosity of knowledge and inspiration has been heartwarming. We got a chance to meet with Nainoa Thompson, a Native Hawaiian navigator and president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. For him to tell us we were wayfinders— that was incredibly special. I feel so lucky.”
You could feel the mana in these conversations— the strength and resilience of our Pasifika people clearly touch everyone involved in this film. It’s so important that they feel welcomed and inspired by the cultural guidance throughout the production.
We also explored the cultural responsibility Dana and David felt as filmmakers. Dana, hilariously noting that her dad is one of twelve siblings and that she has fifty-plus cousins, said she feels an important responsibility to them all, especially since she grew up away from Samoa. David shared a touching moment about a fa’alavelave in Vegas, where his Sataraka family branches came together and bombarded him with questions about the film. He shared how proud he is of Moana’s impact on his family and the larger community.
One of the most empowering moments came when we asked Dana how she hopes Moana will inspire young Pacific Islander women. She beautifully said, “Moana is a testament that we are never just one thing; she contains multitudes.” She reflected on how seeing Moana on screen for the first time was like seeing everyone she knew and how representation on screen can change how you see yourself. “It’s more than just football players and wrestlers—we contain multitudes.” We couldn’t agree more!
To wrap things up, we asked a fun question: Pisupo or Sapasui? Dana chose “panipopo” while David quickly responded with “palusami.” If you know, you know— two of the best Samoan dishes for sure, haha!
We also had great conversations with the film’s producers, Yvett Merino and Christina Chen. Christina emphasized how vital the music is, sharing how crucial it was to bring back Opetaia Foa’i for the sequel. “His music was a great way to not only bring us into the world but keep us in it,” she said, capturing the power of authenticity through music. They also spoke about Moana’s deep connection to the community and how this sense of belonging drives her mission.
Lastly, cultural consultants Kalikolehua Hurley and Lāina Kanoa-Wong from Hawai’i shared the importance of working closely with the Oceanic Cultural Trust to ensure authenticity in portraying Pacific Island cultures. They discussed how crucial it is to blend traditional elements, like the ‘ava ceremony and Maui’s fish hook, with modern storytelling to both educate and inspire future generations.
As the ocean connects us all, Moana 2 is shaping up to be a film that will connect us on a deeper cultural level. We can’t wait to see how this incredible team has brought our stories to life and to experience it all alongside the world. Moana, for real, has paved the way for our stories, and we’re beyond proud to be part of this journey!
