Who is Moana in the Moana movie?

Last Modified Mar 7, 2025 07:56 EST
Who is Moana in the movie Moana?
Moana. Source: Disney

Moana of Mounui is the main character in Disney’s movie, Moana. Moana is the Disney Princesses' twelfth official member. Auliʻi Cravalho, a Hawaiian actress and singer, was the voice of Moana. Louise Bush voices Moana as a toddler.


With reference to Polynesian mythology, Moana is presented as the fearless daughter of a Polynesian village chief who is selected by the ocean to bring a mysterious relic back to the goddess Te Fiti. To return the relic to Te Fiti and save her people, Moana sets out to find Maui (Dwayne Johnson), a famous demigod, after a blight attacks her island.


The 2016 American animated musical fantasy adventure movie Moana (sometimes referred to as Vaiana or Oceania in various regions) was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. Ron Clements and John Musker directed the movie.


Who is Moana in the movie Moana?


Who is Moana in the movie Moana?
Moana. Source: Screengrab from the movie.


Moana is the lively, vibrant, and strong daughter of the Chief of Motunui. She lives with her family and other villagers on the island of Motunui. Moana has always been drawn to the ocean and seeks to travel beyond the reef, something which has been forbidden through ages in Motunui.


One day, she sets sail beyond the reef and her familiar surroundings to make amends, save her people, and find the answers she has been looking for her entire life as a wicked force threatens her island and drains the life out of the creatures and nature within the island.


Related: when is moana 2 releasing


Why does Moana leave her island?


Who is Moana in the movie Moana?
Maui and Moana. Source: Screengrab from the movie.


Moana was chosen by the ocean to give Te Fiti back the once-stolen heart. In order to prepare Moana for her position as the island's chief, her parents, Tui and Sina, try to keep her away from the ocean.


After sixteen years, the island gets affected by blight, which decreases the amount of fish and kills the vegetation. Tala, Moana’s grandmother, says that although Te Kā's darkness is killing the island, it can be cured if Moana finds Maui and asks him to restore Te Fiti's heart. Moana receives the heart from Tala, who received it from the ocean. After getting gravely ill, Tala urges Moana to locate Maui and return Te Fiti's heart. From the caves, Moana and her dimwitted pet rooster, Heihei, board a camakau and set sail to locate Maui to restore the heart of Te Fiti.


Moana’s personality


In Grandmother Tala's words, Moana "stands out from the crowd". She loves the ocean, is strong-willed, independent, almost fearless, and physically fit. Despite her momentary self-doubts, she takes pride in her identity and is often too stubborn to back down from new challenges. Because of her deep empathy and compassion, Moana is willing to risk her life to accomplish what she sincerely feels is the greater good.


Who is Moana in the movie Moana?
Moana as a child. Source: Screengrab from the movie.


She takes new tasks and experiences very seriously, and even when it looks like everything is lost, she will not back away from a fight for what she believes in. Even as a child, Moana showed bravery and a desire to leave home and sail beyond the reef to experience new adventures. In addition, she is sympathetic and seeks to better herself by first comprehending and helping others.


Moana learned more about herself as a result of her experiences. She found out that no one but herself can define who you are; she did not intend to be committed just to the sea or to her people, but rather to herself.



FAQs about Moana

Auliʻi Cravalho, a Hawaiian actress and singer, delivers the voice of Moana. Louise Bush voices Moana as a toddler.

The Moana movie centers on the teenage girl Moana, who is chosen by the ocean to find Maui and return the heart of Te Fiti.

Moana 2 will be released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in the United States on November 27, 2024, after having its global premiere on November 21, 2024, in Kapolei, Hawaii.

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