Disney’s Moana incorporates different aspects from Native Hawaiian/Polynesian culture. Within the soundtrack, there are songs that are performed in the native languages and songs that express certain aspects of the culture. One of the main aspects of culture represented was the maritime activities in wayfaring and navigation where people would navigate the seas using the stars. This calls the past of seafaring voyagers that would come overseas to settle on the land. Additionally, it touches on the relationship and importance of nature to the people as well as the importance of family and community in the connections to the land, sea, one’s identity, and the identity of the people. This catalyzes the story and drives the protagonist on this long journey in efforts to preserve and save the land and environment from destruction. In the earlier village scenes, other aspects of culture were introduced loosely through dance, basket weaving, tattoos, and oral transmission of stories. 

What I like about this film is the impact it has on shining the spotlight on certain aspects of culture such as language and past practices that have been fading in recent times due to assimilation into today’s modern society that is dominated by English and new forms of technology that may have a negative impact on the environment in favor of convenience. As I remember as of recently, I know that the film was translated into Maori and shown in New Zealand during a week of celebrating Maori culture, and I think that would be a great way of introducing Maori children to get more interested in and in touch with their roots and past practices. In today’s modern society, fewer and fewer people speak these native languages or are not familiar with past practices (just as Moana was in the movie) lost over time, so this is just one way of sparking interest and conversations once again. I also like the incorporation of the voice actor(s) of Native Hawaiian descent playing the roles of the characters in the film. Representation of culture in media with research to make well-informed decisions in a product’s design, especially for cultures not often represented, gives the spotlight on a different yet still rich culture that people may not have been initially aware of. 

However, what is problematic about the film is the limitation of any popular culture medium when it comes to culture. It only provides a snapshot of the culture, and aspects can be changed for the sake of the story and its appeal to a global audience (in other words, glocalization). Another problem is that because it is widely popular and seemingly driven by culture, outsiders may generalize and stereotype all Polynesian cultures and peoples based on what is presented which may or may not be the most accurate or inclusive of all cultures. For any popular culture medium, it’s best to see these products as not complete representations of culture or vehicles of culture, but rather to see them as products with their own stories and worlds that are informed by influences from culture. In that way, one can draw educational value and some truth from these products while also being sensitive to and recognizing that it may not be an entirely accurate representation of it.