Moana
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- 2026
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Moana, a girl chosen by the ocean, sets sail across the open sea with the demigod Maui to lift the curse that has fallen on her island. A live-action remake of the 2016 animated film, it brings Dwayne Johnson back as Maui and introduces newcomer Catherine Laga'aia as Moana, with Hamilton director Thomas Kail making his feature film debut.
Most of the ocean scenes were shot along the Waianae coast on Oahu's west side, putting Pokai Bay and Makua Beach directly on screen. Both are public beaches open to everyone, about an hour's drive west of Honolulu.
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Filming Locations
Pokai Bay Beach Park Waianae Oahu Hawaii
Pokai Bay in Waianae anchored the film's sailing scenes. A breakwater keeps the water glassy and calm, ideal for canoe voyaging shots, and locals spotted Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga'aia out on canoes during production. At the tip of the bay stands Ku'ilioloa Heiau, an ancient temple of Hawaiian wayfinding, a fitting echo of a story about a young navigator.
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Makua Beach Waianae Oahu Hawaii
The crew also filmed scenes at Makua Beach, near the far western end of Oahu. The shoreline is nearly untouched by development, so its cliffs and white sand look just like the primordial island the film paints. There are no facilities and the surf runs high on many days, so come for the scenery rather than a swim.