In a vibrant conversation full of laughs, nostalgia, and pride, I sat down with Moana 2 stars Hualālai Chung and Awhimai Fraser to explore the cultural, emotional, and even culinary layers behind their performances.
These two rising talents aren’t just voices in a Disney film—they’re cultural ambassadors, storytellers, and lifelong Disney fans whose journeys from childhood VHS tapes to center stage in one of Disney’s most beloved franchises is a full-circle moment worth celebrating. Our discussion touched on everything from iconic characters and life lessons to delicious dishes and the deeper importance of representation.
Living the Disney Dream
It’s one thing to grow up watching Disney movies on repeat. It’s another to become part of that magic. Both Chung and Fraser vividly remember the classics they loved as kids. When I asked what Disney films shaped their childhoods, Chung went straight to a kingly favorite.
“Lion King for me on a video cassette. Pop it in, rewind it, watch it.”
That ritual—rewinding, rewatching, and repeating—is a familiar one for many fans. But now, Chung gets to be on the other side of that equation: a voice others will rewind and replay for years to come.
Fraser, meanwhile, had a few more favorites and the same emotional connection.
“Hunchback of Notre Dame, Lion King, and Aladdin. Because, I mean, everybody loves the genie.”
The genie’s energy, heart, and humor clearly left a mark—traits that Fraser brings into her own performance as Moni. But that connection to Disney deepened when they realized what project they had booked. Fraser described the shock of discovering she was actually cast in Moana 2:
“I remember getting that call and realizing that that thing I auditioned for was for this and being like, oh my gosh.”
Even after their work was complete, the gravity of it didn’t fully settle in.
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Chung shared how surreal the process remained.
“After I recorded all of the song and the dialogue, I still was like, have I still got the role? Are they going to keep me on?”
It’s that honest vulnerability that made this conversation so authentic. These aren’t just professionals doing a job—they’re fans living a dream that still feels almost too good to be true.
Bringing Characters to Life
One of the most powerful aspects of acting is discovering what a character can teach you. I asked both stars what lessons they were taking from their roles, and their answers were insightful and deeply personal.
“What I’ll take away from Matangi is to explore the things that I’m kind of terrified about and then find the excitement and what happens if you do go there,” said Chung.
It’s a beautiful takeaway—one that speaks to growth, bravery, and curiosity. Matangi clearly pushed Chung to expand his own comfort zones, both as an actor and as a person.
Fraser found something equally inspiring in Moni.
“Moni is the type of person that will always look at it as glass half full. So that’s definitely something that I’m taking away from that.”
That persistent optimism, even in the face of challenge, is something all of us could use more of. Fraser’s connection to that trait makes her performance all the more heartfelt.
The Missing Ingredient: Island Food
We all know music and community shine bright in Moana 2, but I couldn’t help pointing out what felt like a missed opportunity: food. What would a feast from their cultures look like on screen? Their responses were immediate and mouthwatering.
“Dough boys in a pot,” Fraser answered without hesitation.
“Probably lupulu or lucypi, which is like a taro leaf mixed with corned beef hash or even like lamb with coconut milk and onions and everything. It becomes this like casserole thing that gives me gout all the time,” Chung laughed.
Their passion for these dishes—and the way they described them—was so vivid, it practically jumped off the screen. Food, after all, is memory. It’s culture. And it deserves a spotlight just as much as music and mythology. If there’s ever a Moana 3, let’s get a feast scene in there.
The Spirit of Representation
Beneath all the fun and excitement lies something far more profound: the pride of representation. Fraser reflected on what it meant to be part of this specific story.
“If there was a movie that I would have been really proud to have done anything on, it would have actually been this one because I remember when Moana came out and it was beautiful. It was there we were. And the sounds were familiar and the themes, especially with hapuri community, our tamariki, our babies, all of that was in there.”
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That familiarity, that authenticity, is everything. It’s not just about seeing your story told—it’s about hearing your language, your rhythms, your food, and your joy echoed through animation that reaches millions. Chung added:
“I remember back when the first Moana poster came out. And that was kind of like the announcement that, wow, Disney is going to do a film, a new princess film kind of about Polynesian culture. And everybody just went nuts.”
This wasn’t just a movie. It was a cultural moment. And being invited to be part of it was not just a professional milestone—it was a personal one.
Legacy in Motion
Through their humor, humility, and cultural pride, Hualālai Chung and Awhimai Fraser reminded me of what makes Moana 2 such a powerful film: it’s made by people who love the legacy, live the story, and care deeply about the community it reflects.
Whether they’re cracking jokes about dough boys and gout, or sharing life lessons drawn from their characters, these two are proof that when the right people are in the room, the storytelling goes deeper. This is more than animation. It’s legacy in motion.
Experience the legacy yourself now that Moana 2 is now streaming on Disney+ and available to bring home on 4K, Blu-Ray, and DVD.
About Moana 2
U.S. Release Date: Now Streaming on Disney+ and Available for Home Media
Directed by: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Produced by: Christina Chen, Yvett Merino
Executive produced by: Jennifer Lee, Jared Bush and Dwayne Johnson
Music by: Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Opetaia Foa‘i, Mark Mancina
Voice Cast: Auli‘i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Hualālai Chung, David Fane, Rose Matafeo, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda
SYNOPSIS:
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from
What did Moana 2 mean to you? Which character resonated most—and which island dish would you want Disney to animate next? Share your thoughts, your food recs, and your favorite moments with us on social media.
KEEP READING: MOANA 2 REVIEW – A Captivating Return to the Seas with Stunning Visuals and Heartfelt Adventure
