Disney’s ‘Moana’ embraces Polynesian past and culture

The buzz surrounding "Moana," the animated story of a young Polynesian navigator from Walt Disney Studios, has focused on the star power involved, most notably Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne Johnson.

Fans at Disney’s recent D23 Expo were treated to images from the film and an emotional presentation from Johnson, who will be the voice of the demigod Maui. Johnson is half Samoan and had praise for Disney’s embrace of Polynesian culture.

The "Moana" presented to fans looked good, authentic, indigenous. The hope is that "Moana" stays that way when it hits theaters in November 2016.

Hawaii Film Commissioner Donne Dawson said Disney appears to be doing its homework. While the film is not set in Hawaii — and at the moment has no publicly stated Hawaii connection — proper respect and presentation of Polynesian culture is paramount.

"I haven’t seen the script and I don’t have the details, but I think Disney has been around long enough to know that they need to consult the cultural experts — and I am sure they are doing that," said Dawson, who earlier this summer voiced concerns about use of the word "aloha" when it was used as the title of Cameron Crowe’s film, which was shot in Hawaii.

"As Hawaiians we have had 100 years of misrepresentation in the media, and I would like to think that is changing in a significant way," she said. "Audiences are hungry for more authentic portrayals."

That said, "Moana" is still a work of fiction, Dawson said.

"It’s not a documentary," she said. "It’s an animated feature. You are taking dramatic license to make that story appealing and to get people into theaters."

Disney describes "Moana" as a comedy-adventure made using computer-generated animation.

According to the studio, the story takes place 2,000 years ago in Oceania where Moana — "a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest" — sets sail for a fabled island. During her journey, Moana teams up with Maui, and together they encounter "enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore."

Veteran filmmakers Ron Clements and John Musker, who created "The Little Mermaid," "The Princess and the Frog" and "Aladdin," will lead the project.

One of the early writers on the project was Taika Waititi, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker from New Zealand who gets credit behind Clements and Musker. (By coincidence, Waititi is visiting Hawaii and will give a free talk on "storytelling sovereignty" at Mana Moana: Pasifika Storytelling Through Land and Film beginning at 5 p.m. Friday at University of Hawaii at West Oahu, Room C-208.)

The central premise of "Moana" demonstrates Disney is paying attention to the right moments in history, past and present, Dawson said.

"Just the fact that they are doing a story about a navigator means they are tuned in to one of the most significant events in modern-day history: the worldwide voyage of Hokule’a," she said.

Hokule’a, the voyaging canoe that helped Hawaiians re-establish their skills as celestial navigators, or wayfinders, has been sailing on a 50,000-mile voyage since leaving Hawaii in May 2014. More people than ever before are learning about it, something that fits nicely with "Moana," Dawson said.

"This is not a story that only resonates with people in Hawaii, where we know what Polynesian voyaging is all about," she said. "The Disney project is a global story with a universal theme. That’s something we can be very, very excited about."

AND that’s a wrap …

Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.