Moana 2is expanding the titular character’s family tree, adding to those introduced in the original movie. Moana’s family was an essential feature of the 2016 film since meeting their expectations and attempting to protect them was a significant motivator for the hero of Motunui. What’s more, it’s ultimately revealed thatthis long line of chiefs held an essential role in the exploration of the world. Moana’s ancestors held a close bond with the ocean and the gods that rule it, which continues with the protagonist herself and her connection with the demigod Maui.
TheMoanasequel,Moana 2, explores Moana’s life in the years following therestoration of Te Fiti’s heart. Like her ancestors before her, Moana has returned to voyaging the ocean, exploring new islands and people before returning home to Motuni and setting out all over again. Though she said goodbye to family members like Gramma Tala in the 2016Moana,this Disney sequel reveals that Moana’s family has continued to grow. Her sister, Simea, continues the family legacy of loving the ocean and caring for their island home.
Moana (Auli’i Cravalho)
Chief Tui & Sina’s Oldest Daughter, Simea’s Older Sister, & Tala’s Granddaughter
Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) is the oldest daughter of Chief Tui and his wife, Sina, inMoana. She was the granddaughter of Gramma Tala and is now the older sister to littleSimea inMoana 2. From the time she was small, Moana held a deep fascination for the ocean. Her compassion for ocean life (proven by Moana’s act of saving a baby sea turtle), proved to the sea thatMoana could be trusted with the important mission of finding Maui and delivering him across the oceanwhere he would restore the heart of Te Fiti. Of course, the ocean’s faith was rewarded since Moana was successful in her big adventure inMoana.
Moana is strong, athletic, and passionate. The latter quality puts her at odds with her father from time to time, but Moana has proven herself a capable leader, regardless. Though she desperately desired to explore the ocean, Moana accepted her role as a future chief and did her best to make her parents proud, proving her love and devotion for her family and village. Moana also holds a close friendship with the demigod Maui, the animals of Motunui, and inMoana 2, her little sister Simea.
Chief Tui (Temuera Morrison)
Sina’s Husband, Moana & Simea’s Father, & Tala’s Son
Chief Tui (Temuera Morrison) was the chief of Motunui during the events ofMoana. He is a fair leader who values cooperation and devotion to the community, which he passes on to his daughter. His mother, Tala, is considered the village “crazy lady,” though he treated her with immense kindness and respect in the 2016 film, tolerating her teachings (despite disagreeing with her). Above all,Tui wishes for the safety of his people. For this reason, he rigidly held to the rule about staying within the reef, even when food grew scarce on Motunui.
Moana Theory Reveals She Wasn’t The First Chosen To Restore The Heart Of Te Fiti
The ocean chose Moana of Motunui to restore the Heart of Te Fiti and save the world, but clues throughout the film indicate she wasn’t the first.
Though Tui and Moana often butted heads inMoana, the chief shared his daughter’s passion and fascination with the ocean. It seems his ancestors' role as voyagers called to him, and perhaps even the ocean had once called on Tui to carry the heart of Te Fiti himself. However, whenhis stealing a boat and sailing beyond the reef resulted in the death of a friend, Tui put aside his passion for the safety of Motunui.
It’s implied that Tui is still the chief of Motunui inMoana 2while Moana is a master wayfinder.
Sina (Nicole Scherzinger)
Chief Tui’s Wife, Moana & Simea’s Mother, & Tala’s Daughter-In-Law
Sina (Nicole Scherzinger) is the wife of Chief Tui and, therefore, a figure of authority and comfort for those living in Motunui. As a mother, she is nurturing and kind andproves herself to be someone Moana can openly confide in inMoana. Sina is less stubborn than her husband but is still willing to tell Moana firm truths when the time comes. Nothing is known about Sina’s background and family.
Based on Simea’s age in the sequel, Sina was likely pregnant during the events of the 2016 film.
In thethree years betweenMoanaandMoana 2, Sina has a second daughter, Simea. Based on Simea’s age in the sequel,Sina was likely pregnant during the events of the 2016 film—a fact that retroactively adds further urgency to Moana’s journey to save Motunui and her beloved family.
Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda)
Chief Tui & Sina’s Youngest Daughter, Moana’s Younger Sister, & Tala’s Granddaughter
Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda) is the newest addition to Moana’s family tree inMoana 2. She is three years old during the film’s events and is the spitting image of her big sister.Simea seems to share Moana’s high-energy and adventurous spiritand is eager to set out on her own adventures when the time comes. While Moana is away, Simea eagerly awaits her return and is among the first to greet the voyager once her boat hits shore.
Tala (Rachel House)
Chief Tui’s Mother, Moana & Simea’s Grandmother, & Sina’s Mother-In-Law
Tala (Rachel House), typically called Gramma Tala, is the mother of Chief Tui and grandmother to Moana and Simea. Given her status as the “village crazy lady,” it’s assumed that Tala had been married to the previous chief (rather than her being the chief herself).Tala loved the ocean as much as Moana and Tuiand held out her belief that the people of Motunui would voyage again. She was one of the few on the island who believed the legends about Te Fiti’s heart. While the chief had stopped wearing the heirloom necklace that perfectly held the green stone, Tala kept it.
10 Biggest Questions Moana 2 Needs To Answer
Moana is finally getting a sequel 8 years later, which means a chance for the biggest unanswered questions from the first movie to be addressed.
Tala loved to dance with the water inMoana, a skill she taught her granddaughter. Following her death,Tala was reincarnated as a beautiful glowing manta ray, which appeared to Moana in a moment of doubt. The implication here is that Tala isn’t the only one of Moana’s ancestors to guide her forward. Her family tree, which stretches back centuries, calls from inside her so that “come what may,” Moana knows the way.
Moana’s Unnamed Ancestors
The Voyager Chiefs Who Came Before Moana
Moana’s father is far from the first in their family to lead the people of Motunui. The vision Moana gets in the cavern of boats inMoanaimplies that her line has been leaders for many centuries and that each of them carries a passion for the ocean in their hearts. With every generation, this love was doubled as the experiences of their forebearers were planted within their descendants. What’s more,each of Moana’s ancestors passed on the necklace designed to hold the heart of Te Fiti. Though Tui seemed to have taken to only wearing part of the necklace, Tala passed the shell container portion to Moana when the time came.
Moana 2
Cast
Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.
