Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson joined stars, filmmakers and special guests at the Lanikūhonua Cultural Institute in Ko Olina, Hawaii, for the world premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2. To celebrate, Disney is giving back to the community by bringing happiness and a little Disney magic to children and families on Oʻahu.
Children’s Hospitals Patients Among the First to See Disney’s Moana 2
Patients at five children’s hospitals on Oʻahu were among the first to watch Moana 2 ahead of its exclusive theatrical release on November 27. Along with access to the film, hospitals also received deliveries of brand-new Moana-themed Starlight hospital gowns, toys and books, and a “Movie Party in a Box,” a Disney program that sends hospital staff an assortment of themed products to host viewing parties for patients who cannot visit theaters due to medical restrictions.
Disney and Starlight Children’s Foundation also hosted a special event at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children that included a meet and greet with Moana herself, as well as a delivery of a new Disney mobile movie theater with complimentary Disney+ access for the hospital.
“Disney joy is Disney joy in itself, but to be able to bring it into the hospital and have the kids be able to experience things that nobody else can do, to be able to feel normal, even if it’s just for one or two hours… no words,” shared Rene Jong, a patient’s mother.
Year-round, cast members at Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, work closely with Kapiʻolani to bring moments of happiness to the local community on Oʻahu. Given this longstanding relationship, Kapiʻolani was one of the first investments from Disney’s $100 million global commitment to help reimagine the patient experience in children’s hospitals. Disney CEO Bob Iger attended the Moana 2 event at Kapiʻolani and met with children and hospital staff to see the impact of that commitment firsthand.
“Disney’s been a supporter of children’s hospitals all over the world for decades, dating all the way back to Walt Disney’s days, and I’ve tried really hard to maintain that legacy,” said Bob Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “With Moana 2 opening this week, we’ve had the opportunity to bring a great film to the people of this hospital, patients and employees alike.”
Disney will also bring happiness to kids and families around the world in celebration of Moana 2 with children’s hospitals and wish granting programs in Australia, Canada, China, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Wishes Come True in Hawaii
Disney teamed up with Dwayne Johnson, who returns as the voice of demigod Maui, and Make-A-Wish to create an unforgettable experience for wish kids in Hawaii. Five Make-A-Wish kids had their most heartfelt wishes granted when they met Dwayne Johnson and attended the Moana 2 premiere as Johnson’s personal guests.
Wish kids also experienced everything Aulani Resort had to offer, including attending KA WA’A – a Lū’au, and were surprised with a wave of Moana-inspired toys, accessories, apparel and more, so they could take home a piece of their amazing adventure and cherish these special memories forever.
Bringing Military Families Together at Pearl Harbor
Dwayne Johnson joined Navy and Air Force personnel from Oʻahu’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a special screening of the all-new epic adventure. Captain “Smokey” White, Joint Base Commander, was on hand with Johnson to welcome active-duty military personnel, base leadership and their families to Sharkey Theater.
As part of Disney’s commitment to bringing special moments of happiness to military families, screenings for military personnel and their families were also held at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and at AMC Theatres in Galveston, Texas, for members of the Coast Guard.
Learn more about how Disney is delivering moments of happiness to kids and families at impact.disney.com.