"Moana 2" choreographer Tiana Liufau talked about culture as the blockbuster hit is now available on DVD. Liufau heads the dance company Nonosina based in Anaheim, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
"[Nonosina] was founded by my grandmother, Stella Nonosina Reid, from the island of American Samoa, in the village of Faleniu. When she migrated here, she brought with her a love of Polynesian music and dance, she started the company, passing it down to my mother and now myself," Liufau said.
The choreographer explained the pressure involved in creating dances for the Disney animated film, "I'm representing not only myself and my family, I'm representing my ancestors and the entire ocean. It's exciting, it's fun, and it's lot of responsibility."
Liufau is proud to represent her culture on the big screen, "To see something that resonates directly to me, even if I wasn't a choreographer, just seeing Polynesian movement on the screen is something I never thought would be possible, but here we are. "
The creative director shared her favorite parts of being involved in the film and what she's excited for "Moana" fans to see with its digital and physical release. "I'm excited for fans to see special features, deleted scenes and more. Fans will feel that much more of a part of the island of Motunui from 'Moana.'"
When asked what it meant to be the cultural point person for the third highest-grossing of 2024, Liufau said, "I am a product of this ocean. I've dedicated my whole life to this and I hope people come to understand that we are storytellers, voyagers, and warriors."
"Moana 2" is now available at digital retailers and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD.
This segment originally aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Feb. 20, 2025.
