Big names hit the blue carpet in Leeward Oahu for the world premiere of ‘Moana 2’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It was a star-studded night in Leeward Oahu for the blue carpet world premiere of Disney’s “Moana 2.”

Aulii Cravalho — the voice of Moana — and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — the voice of Maui — joined Disney executives out at Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute on Thursday night.

“It feels so special to celebrate this here in Hawaii and I’ve heard so many ‘chee hoos’ already, which has no reference to the song or the movie, by the way, that’s just our way of saying ‘hip hip, hooray,’ and I know that we’ll do so many before the nights end,” Cravalho said.

The Rock was also there with his family — his wife, daughters and mother.

“Man, I’m grateful,” he said. “And also, you know, 15 miles that way, I was getting in a lot of trouble on that side of the island and to be able to come back full circle about movies in the past here to film here and to produce here. But this one is different.”

Another special guest appearance: Maia Kealoha, of Kailua-Kona, who’s playing Lilo in the live action “Lilo and Stitch,” which comes out in May of 2025.

The former Mini Miss Kona Coffee shared what happened when she found out she got the role of Lilo.

“I’m speechless,” she said. “I was very excited too. I’m like, ‘yes, yes.’ Crying out loud. My dad on the side, throwing me in the air. I’m like, ‘dad, you’re hitting my head.‘”

Award-winning musician Paula Fuga was also there, promoting her new “Moana 2” book.

“Moana 2” hits theaters worldwide next week Wednesday.

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