The Moana Influence: Is Authentic Hawaiian Culture Present at a Disney Resort?

If you want to raise some eyebrows, try telling your friends you're off to a Disney resort to discover real Hawaiian culture.

At Aulani, Disney’s resort on Oahu’s western coast, guests can enjoy everything from breakfast with Minnie Mouse and Instagram-worthy shaved ice topped with Mickey ears to selfies with Moana. Yet, beyond these experiences, they’ll also encounter subtle details that offer a glimpse into Hawaiian culture.

"We constantly seek new ways to tell stories, just like Walt Disney did, by uncovering unique aspects of Hawaiian culture that may not be widely known," explains Kahulu De Santos, Aulani's cultural advisor. "The story we share is rich, but it’s not Disney’s story — it belongs to the Hawaiian people."

The experience begins as you step into Aulani’s airy lobby, where you’re welcomed with a flower lei and a stunning 200-foot mural by Hawaiian artist Martin Charlot. This piece is just one of over 80 works by local artists displayed throughout the resort.

The lobby’s sweeping curved arch – a motif found in Aulani’s logo and repeated across the resort – mirrors the design of a traditional Hawaiian canoe house, honoring the island’s rich voyaging heritage.

Recent trends in travel show a rising demand for cultural immersion, especially when it comes to voyaging. Kainoa Daines, cultural advisor for the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, points to two key events that have brought this topic to the forefront: Disney’s "Moana" and the epic journey of the Hōkūleʻa, a double-hull canoe that traveled over 40,000 nautical miles, guided by traditional navigation techniques.

Why tourists seek more than just beautiful beaches.

It was through voyaging that De Santos' ancestors made their way to Hawaii.

"My family has lived here since the first canoes arrived," she says proudly. "As we say, we are ‘of the land.’"

In her role at Aulani, she draws heavily from her own personal journey, overseeing the integration of Hawaiian culture into the resort’s entertainment, staff training, and even the merchandise sold in its gift shops.

"My goal is to ensure we showcase things that are authentically Hawaiian, that truly reflect our culture, traditions, and the deep love we have for our families and our land, even in a commercial environment like a luau, and for that to be felt genuinely," says De Santos.

A key focus at Aulani has been promoting the Hawaiian language, spoken by only three percent of Hawaii’s population. The language can be found in place names throughout the resort, with a strong presence at the ‘Ōlelo Room, a lounge and bar overlooking a koi pond by the resort’s pool. All staff members at the lounge are fluent in Hawaiian, and the décor features wooden carvings of everyday objects, each labeled with its Hawaiian name.

"At every opportunity, we encourage and guide our cast members to learn more about the Hawaiian language, to understand the stories it holds, and to share them with guests. This is what makes the Aulani experience unique," says De Santos. "The Hawaiian language is woven into the very fabric of our culture and the stories we share."

De Santos believes Disney’s efforts to showcase Hawaiian culture at Aulani have inspired other resorts to follow suit.

"There has been a real shift in priorities and responsibilities," she says.

Daines has also observed this change in recent years.

"The local community’s renewed focus on preserving, promoting, and sharing native Hawaiian culture has led to new cultural experiences that are now more accessible to visitors," he says. "Increasingly, hotels and resorts across Hawaii are putting more thought into fostering a sense of place and telling unique stories, whether about the natural environment or cultural heritage."

The experience begins before you even arrive.

It’s not just the resorts — Hawaiian Airlines aims to immerse passengers in Hawaiian culture from the moment they board, with Hawaiian-language subtitles on the pre-flight safety video and cabin lighting designed to evoke the colors of a tropical sunset.

"Design in Hawaii is all about telling a story. We spend a great deal of time thinking about the narratives we want to share," says Avi Mannis, senior VP of marketing for Hawaiian Airlines, in an interview with Dinogo Travel.

On their newly redesigned A321neo, Hawaiian Airlines has literally woven Hawaiian stories into the very fabric of the aircraft, with seat materials and dividers reflecting the textures of barkcloth and fishing nets.

The airline goes beyond simply offering cultural experiences to its guests — it’s deeply embedded in its corporate ethos. To promote Hawaiian culture among its staff, particularly those who aren't native Hawaiians, Hawaiian Airlines provides classes on hula and the Hawaiian language as part of its employee benefits.

"We feel a strong responsibility to do this," said Mannis. "As the flag carrier for Hawaii, we see ourselves as ambassadors, bringing authentic Hawaiian culture to the world."

Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, now in its second year of operation, has fully embraced Hawaiian culture. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted by the sight of the A’a, a racing canoe on loan from the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.

Carved from a native koa tree, this canoe was commissioned in 1902 by Prince Jonah Kūhiō, a member of the Hawaiian royal family, and was once considered one of the fastest canoes of its era. The resort also hosts special events focused on voyaging. In January, during the Hōkūleʻa's visit to the nearby Ko Olina Marina, the resort welcomed Thompson for a talk on his journey, attended by 300 community members and hotel guests.

"As a new resort, we aimed to rediscover Hawaiian culture, sharing a vision that has united people for thousands of years," says Sanjiv Hulugalle, the resort’s general manager. "We encourage guests to explore uncharted territories of their own, with the hope that the experience will be transformative."

Hulugalle introduced the #FSWayfinders program, which offers guests opportunities to connect with local artisans, including making jewelry with rare shells from Ni’hau, learning weaving from a local expert, or taking ukulele lessons from Roy Sakuma, a renowned musician and founder of Ukulele Festival Hawaii, now celebrating its 48th year.

For those seeking a more spiritual journey, La’akea Perry, a master hula teacher, worked with local kapuna (elders) to receive their blessing for a guided hike to Kaena Point, Oahu’s westernmost tip, which is unreachable by vehicle.

The area’s shoreline is considered sacred, said to be where the souls of ancient Hawaiians would leap off to join their ancestors in the spirit world. There, Perry leads guests in a chant honoring the land and performs a hula that tells the story of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, and her sister Hi’iaka.

Sometimes the simplest approach is the best one.

It’s the most straightforward experiences – connecting with nature and sharing stories – that have left the greatest impact on guests.

At Aulani, De Santos believes the resort’s most traditional form of entertainment has made the biggest impression: fireside storytelling. Every evening, as the sun sets, Uncle gathers guests around the beachside fire pit to share Hawaiian myths and legends.

"At first, some questioned whether such a simple activity would really draw guests in," she recalls. "But they do come. And I do, too!"

And because this is a Disney resort, Uncle sometimes has a special guest — Moana. The Disney princess joins the fire pit to help Uncle recount the story of how Maui captured the sun and to share her own adventurous journey.