POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. — With anticipation growing for Disney’s live-action “Moana,” fans now have a chance to get an up-close look at a piece of the beloved story.
Audiences were first introduced to Moana in 2016, when the animated Disney film brought the young wayfinder’s journey to screens around the world.
Now, as the adventure is being reimagined for a live-action release, one of the story’s most recognizable elements is making waves beyond the movie set: Moana’s canoe.
One of the boats used in the upcoming film is currently on display in Point Pleasant Beach, along the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore.
Helping bring that seafaring spirit to New Jersey is Captain Nakoa Prejean, a voyager whose own life on the water echoes the traditions at the heart of Moana’s story.
“This is something that we grew up doing that was passed on to us from our family,” Prejean said.
Prejean, the founder of Hawaiian Ocean Adventures in Oahu, was given the honor of building the canoes used for Disney’s live-action “Moana.”
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“It’s about passing on the knowledge of what we love to do, and we’ve been very fortunate to be able to be a part of this whole production and part of the huge team that brought it all to life,” he said.
He also taught the stars to sail, from ‘Moana,’ Laga’aia to ‘Maui,’ Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
“Katie was a natural,” he said, joking that Johnson needed a little work. “We got about three or four days in Hawaii sailing some of the canoes that we built, traditional craft. She had a wonderful time. It was exceptional.”
Look for Captain Nakoa’s handcrafted canoes when Disney’s live-action ‘Moana’ hits theaters on July 10.
Moana’s canoe will be on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ through 11 p.m. on July 5.
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