Moana is good for Pacific Islander culture

Question

With the release of Moana 2 in theaters, there comes a great debate if Moana is respected by Pacific Islanders like the Māori in New Zealand or if it comes across offensive. By my own connections and Beliefs I think it represents the culture beautifully and Disney has down a great job.

Comments

I agree with the idea that Moana represents great Pacific islander culture. However, since the article was written in 2020,  I wonder if that evaluation still holds true or if it has changed over the past few years.

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Having vast demographics of Disney princesses is an amazing advancement for Disneys global  audiences. The article you used is a bit outdated since it was released after the initial Moana premiered. All I can truly think of is this tiktok I saw after the Moana 2 release, is this cultural appropriation? https://www.tiktok.com/@feet5666/video/7441081248308645166

Answer 1

You did a great job addressing the ongoing conversation about Moana and its impact on Pacific Islander cultures, particularly Māori culture. Your perspective highlights an important aspect of the film: its representation of Polynesian mythology, landscapes, and traditions. It's crucial to recognize that for many Polynesian communities, there has historically been limited representation in mainstream media. Moana not only brings attention to the beauty and richness of Polynesian culture but also gives voice to narratives that are often overlooked. Disney's careful collaboration with cultural experts and consultants from the Pacific Islands is one of the reasons the film is seen by many as an important step toward more authentic representation. This level of visibility is incredibly significant, and it provides a sense of pride and acknowledgment for Polynesians who have long been underrepresented in global media. I love this topic and I'm so glad you brought it to my attention, Thank You!

Comments

I loved your comment and feedback about this topic, I also agree that Moana has provided a wider view of pacific islander culture. The first movie, it's held a strong title of being one of the most watched Disney movies and allows for the viewers to be engaged with the story.

Answer 2

This claim is accurate, based on multiple sources including OPB, The Guardian, and The Walt Disney Company.

According to OPB, Patricia Fifita, an indigenous pacific islander of Tongan heritage and an assistant professor at Oregon State University, served as a cultural consultant on Moana 2 to ensure the film portrayed Pacific Islander cultures with care and respect. She explained that she was cautious saying:

“For me, as a Pacific Islander, scholar and then also as a mother, it’s something that I get a little bit nervous about. I was nervous at the time, wondering if our stories would be told appropriately, would they be representative of the diversity of the Pacific?”

However, after seeing the production process and final result, her view became largely positive. Fifita praised Disney’s commitment to representation:

“I think ‘Moana 2’ also does a really wonderful job of highlighting this effort or desire to unite the diversity of islands… it’s really wonderful that the film makes an effort to highlight that diversity in the imagery, but also in the message of the film.” 

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/12/12/moana-2-pacific-islander-patricia fifita/#:~:text=An%20Indigenous%20Pacific%20Islander%20of%20Tongan%20heritage%2C,%22Moana%202%22%20to%20help%20ensure%20the%20respectful

The Walt Disney Company confirmed this commitment through the creation of the Oceanic Cultural Trust, which brought together anthropologists, cultural experts, historians, and wayfinders from Fiji, Mo’orea, Samoa, Tahiti, and other islands, shared experiences and expertise to guide the filmmakers. In the article statement:

“He said, ‘You are all wayfinders. You need to make sure that you get it right, so when this movie goes out into the world, everybody understands that what the people of the Pacific do is an amazing feat,” Hand says. “We wanted to be true to that.” 

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/oceanic-cultural-trust-moana2/#:~:text=When%20the%20filmmakers%20showed%20a,as%20people%20of%20the%20Pacific%E2%80%A6

Additionally, The Guardian reported that “Audiences across the Pacific have welcomed Moana 2 and cheered seeing aspects of their culture on the big screen, while Disney’s portrayal of the demigod character Maui has drawn some criticism for reinforcing stereotypes.” This shows that while many Pacific Islander appreciated the film’s cultural representation, others expressed concern that Maui’s portrayal leaned toward stereotype. 

https://www.theguardian.com/global/2024/dec/06/moana-2-reaction-reviews-pacific-island-countries

In conclusion Moana 2's development, as evidenced by OPB, The Walt Disney Company, and The Guardian involved significant cultural and collaboration with Pacific Islander experts, such as Patricia Fifita and the Oceanic Cultural Trust. While some critics have voiced concerns, the majority of Pacific Islander voices, including Fifita's, confirmed that Moana 2 is a respectful celebration of the diverse, strong, and unite Pacific cultures.