Moana characters range from the adventurous Moana and the powerful demigod Maui to the wise Gramma Tala and the quirky Hei Hei. Each plays a unique role in shaping the beloved Disney story. Their unique traits, personalities, and voice actors make them unforgettable favourites for fans of all ages.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Moana is the adventurous protagonist, admired for her courage, leadership, and deep connection to her Polynesian heritage.
- Supporting roles such as Kakamora, Ocean, and Mini Maui add charm, mystery, and humour while helping move Moana’s quest forward.
- Moana 2 introduces Simea (Moana’s little sister), Kele (a farmer), Loto (a craftswoman shipwright), and Matangi (an enforcer for Nalo).
Meet the Moana characters: Your favourite Disney characters ranked
When compiling this list of ranked Moana characters, we considered factors like popularity, role in the story, and personality traits. While we aim to present the most up-to-date and comprehensive rankings, subjective popularity means that the list may vary according to personal preference.
| Rank | Character | Voiced by |
| 1 | Moana | Auli’i Cravalho, Louise Bush as young Moana |
| 2 | Maui | Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson |
| 3 | Te Kā | Nature sounds |
| 4 | Gramma Tala | Rachel House |
| 5 | Chief Tui | Temuera Morrison, Christopher Jackson (singing voice in the first film) |
| 6 | Pua | Real pigs (pig noises) |
| 7 | Heihei | Alan Tudyk |
| 8 | Tamatoa | Jemaine Clement |
| 9 | Te Fiti | N/A |
| 10 | Sina | Nichole Scherzinger |
| 11 | Kakamora | N/A |
| 12 | Ocean | N/A |
| 13 | Mini Maui | N/A |
| 14 | Matai Vasa | Opetaia Foa’i (singing voice, both films), Gerald Ramsey (speaking voice, Moana 2) |
| 15 | Matangi | Awhimai Fraser |
| 16 | Simea | Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda |
| 17 | Kele | N/A |
| 18 | Loto | Rose Matafeo |
1. Moana
Source: UGC
- Role: Protagonist
- Gender: Female
- Voiced by: Auli’i Cravalho, Louise Bush as young Moana
Moana is the eldest daughter of Chief Tui and the titular protagonist of this animated film. She was born on the island village of Motunui and had an inherited love for the seas and voyaging. In the film franchise, Moana has one younger sister, Simea.
Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana, reflected on the character‘s enduring impact:
Moana is so brave, and such a beautiful character… She has so much more learning and so much more growing to do in this film.
2. Maui
Source: UGC
- Role: Demigod
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Maui is a demigod of the wind and sea who wields a magical fishhook. Known for his strength and shapeshifting abilities, Maui initially comes across as arrogant but gradually learns humility and teamwork while assisting Moana on her quest.
Dwayne Johnson, who voices Maui, drew inspiration from his late grandfather, Samoan high chief and wrestler Peter Maivia.
Every time I play Maui, I’m in the skin of my grandfather. And it really moves me.
3. Te Kā
Source: Twitter
- Role: Lava demon antagonist
- Gender: Female
- Voice: Nature sounds
Te Kā is the vengeful lava demon and the primary antagonist. She was initially Te Fiti, the island goddess, but transformed into a destructive force when Maui stole her heart. Moana’s quest is to restore the heart of Te Fiti, which eventually transforms Te Kā back to her original, peaceful form.
4. Gramma Tala
Source: UGC
- Role: Moana’s grandmother
- Gender: Female
- Voiced by: Rachel House
Gramma Tala is Moana’s wise and free-spirited grandmother. She is the only person in the village who encourages Moana’s love for the ocean and believes in her destiny to save the island. Gramma Tala shares a spiritual connection with the sea.
Rachel House, who voices Gramma Tala, described the role as deeply personal. She told BuzzFeed :
When I get to play that character, I’m drawing from all my ancestors and my elders that I’ve been around or that I’ve been inspired by. So, to revisit it feels like an honor every time.
5. Chief Tui
Source: UGC
- Role: Moana’s father
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Temuera Morrison, Christopher Jackson (singing voice in the first film)
Chief Tui is the protective leader of the island of Motunui and Moana’s dad. He loves his daughter dearly but is reluctant to let her explore the ocean, fearing the dangers beyond the reef. Over time, he learns to trust Moana’s instincts and supports her in her mission to restore balance to the island.
6. Pua
Source: UGC
- Role: Moana’s pet pig
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Real-life pigs (real pig noises)
Pua is Moana’s loyal and adorable pet pig. He represents her connection to home and family. Pua’s playful and loving personality makes him a favourite among fans.
7. Heihei
Source: UGC
- Role: Moana’s rooster companion
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Alan Tudyk, Mel Blanc (screams, archival audio)
Heihei is Moana’s clumsy and dim-witted rooster companion. Although unintentionally brought along on the expedition journey, his clueless behaviour provides comic relief. Despite his limited intelligence, Heihei is crucial in keeping Moana safe during her adventure.
Alan Tudyk, who voices Heihei, described the experience of performing the character’s chaotic vocalisations. He told The Hollywood Reporter:
It’s like any kind of acting where you’re using those sounds instead of lines, where you wake up in a boat you thought you were just going to sleep in, look around, there’s no land in sight, and you scream…. it was really fun.
8. Tamatoa
Source: UGC
- Role: Villainous giant crab
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Jemaine Clement
Tamatoa is a giant crab Disney character living in Lalotai, the realm of monsters. He is obsessed with shiny objects and uses them to decorate his shell, believing that his appearance gives him power. Tamatoa’s musical number, “Shiny,” highlights his vain and flamboyant personality.
9. Te Fiti
Source: Twitter
- Role: Island goddess
- Gender: Female
Te Fiti is the green goddess monster who created the islands and life. Her heart holds the key to balance in the world, but when Maui steals it, she transforms into the angry lava demon Te Kā. Restoring her heart is central to Moana’s mission, ultimately returning Te Fiti to her peaceful, life-giving form.
10. Sina
Source: UGC
- Role: Moana’s mother
- Gender: Female
- Voiced by: Nicole Scherzinger
Sina is Moana’s loving and supportive mother. She understands her daughter’s desire to explore the ocean, but also wants to protect her from the potential dangers. Sina’s nurturing nature balances Chief Tui’s protectiveness, giving Moana the confidence to pursue her journey.
11. Kakamora
- Role: Villainous coconut creatures
- Gender: Unknown
The Kakamora are a group of tiny, coconut-armoured pirates that Moana and Maui encounter during their journey. Despite their small size, they are formidable and aggressive when working together.
12. Ocean
Source: Twitter
- Role: Magical entity
- Gender: Unknown
The ocean is a living, conscious magic entity that helps guide Moana on her quest. It assists her in restoring the heart of Te Fiti, protects her during dangerous moments, and ensures she fulfils her destiny. The ocean plays a significant and mystical role in the film.
13. Mini Maui
Source: Twitter
- Role: Demigod, Maui’s miniature form
- Gender: Male
Mini Maui appears as a unique tattoo on Maui’s body. Though he doesn’t speak, Mini Maui acts as Maui’s conscience, often guiding him to make the right decisions and helping him during critical moments in the film.
14. Matai Vasa
Source: UGC
- Role: Chief Tui’s father
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Opetaia Foa’i (singing voice, both films), Gerald Ramsey (speaking voice, Moana 2)
Matai Vasa is Chief Tui’s wise and loving father. Although he is a minor character, he is inspirational in Moana’s journey, encouraging her to follow her dreams and embrace her destiny.
15. Matangi
Source: UGC
- Role: Enforcer for Nalo
- Gender: Female
- Voiced by: Awhimai Fraser
Matangi appears in Moana 2 as an eccentric, bat-themed enforcer for Nalo, the God of Storms. She uses her vampire-like supernatural abilities to carry out Nalo’s will.
16. Simea
Source: UGC
- Role: Moana’s sister
- Gender: Female
- Voiced by: Khaleesi Lambert‑Tsuda
Simea appears in Moana 2 as Moana’s adorable three-and-a-half-year-old little sister. She idolises Moana and shares a close sisterly bond.
17. Kele
Source: UGC
- Role: Farmer
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: David Fane
Kele is a supporting character in Moana 2. He is a grumpy old farmer who is a part of Moana’s wayfinding crew along with Loto and Moni. Kele is also the elder statesman of the island community of Motunui, responsible for the vegetable crops.
18. Loto
Source: UGC
- Role: Craftswoman
- Gender: Female
- Voiced by: Rose Matafeo
Loto is the brainy but quirky genius of Moana’s wayfinding crew, working alongside Kele and Moni. As the team’s skilled shipwright, she designs, repairs, and upgrades their vessel, keeping it seaworthy on their voyage to the mysterious island of Motufetu.
19. Blobfish
Source: Facebook
- Role: Kakamora’s neurotoxin source
- Gender: Unspecified
The Blobfish is a minor character that appears in Moana 2. It is a peculiar monster that resides with the Kakamora and is the source of the neurotoxin for their blowdarts.
20. Eight-eyed bats
Source: UGC
- Role: Predators
- Gender: Mixed (collective species)
The eight-eyed bats are animal cartoon characters that are featured in the 2016 Disney animated feature film, Moana. They live in the underwater realm of Lalotai. The creature first appears during the “You’re Welcome” musical sequence, where Maui fights against it.
21. Moana’s brothers
Source: UGC
- Role: Protective older siblings
- Gender: Male
Moana’s brothers are characters that existed in one version of the film Moana and were scrapped in the final version. At one point in the story development, Moana had nine older brothers, who sailed off, leaving her behind, and she eventually had to rescue them.
22. Moni
Source: UGC
- Role: Storyteller
- Gender: Male
- Voiced by: Hualalai Chung
Moni is a supporting character in Moana 2. He is a member of Moana’s wayfinding crew along with Kele and Loto. He is described as a passionate storyteller in Motunui and a huge fan of Maui’s.
Voice actor Hualālai Chung revealed the similarities he has with the character during an interview with Sweety High:
I think I can relate to Moni in a lot of ways. We both want to see the community and the group succeed. We both love sharing stories and sharing knowledge with others, especially when it can make a positive impact.
23. Motuni villagers
Source: UGC
- Role: Community members
- Gender: Mixed
- Voiced by: Ensemble cast
The Motunui villagers are background characters from the 2016 Moana and its 2024 sequel. They are a group of villagers who live on the isle of Motunui.
24. Kotu
Source: Twitter
- Role: Rival chieftain’s son
- Gender: Male
Kotu is a Kakamora who joins Moana on her quest to find the mysterious island of Motufetu. He is the son of the Kakmora chief. Kotu is described as the Moana equivalent.
Who are the Moana 2 cast members?
The cast of Moana 2 includes several returning favourites and some new faces. As per IMDb, below are the main Moana Disney characters:
- Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana
- Dwayne Johnson as Maui
- Alan Tudyk as Hei Hei
- Rachel House as Gramma Tala
- Temuera Morrison as Chief Tui
- Nicole Scherzinger as Sina
- Rose Matafeo as Loto
- David Fane as Kele
Where does Moana take place?
Moana takes place in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific Ocean. The story is set on the fictional island of Motunui, which serves as the main location for the film’s events.
Who plays Moana?
American actress Chloe Auli’i Cravalho starred in the original 2016 release and the November 2024 sequel.
Who is the male character in Moana?
Some of the male characters in Moana include Maui the demigod (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), Chief Tui (Temuera Morrison), and Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement).
Are Moana and Maui dating?
Moana and Maui share a strong friendship and partnership in the movie, without any romantic element.
What is Moana’s character’s pig’s name?
Moana’s loyal pet pig is called Pua. He keeps the main character company during her childhood but does not join her on her ocean expedition.
Who is the green monster in Moana?
In the movie, Te Fiti, the land goddess, transforms into the green monster Te Kā after someone steals her heart. Moana restores the heart, allowing Te Fiti to regain her original form.
Moana characters are beloved for their rich personalities, cultural significance, and impact on the story. Moana shows bravery, Maui brings humour, and Gramma Tala shares wisdom, adding to the film’s charm.
Yen.com.gh published an article featuring the top G20 movie cast. G20 depicts the dramatic narrative of an international crisis in which a critical conference is the target of a dangerous takeover.
The G20 film cast delivers an enthralling ensemble performance, with each actor contributing depth and passion to their respective parts. Read the article for more about the movie’s cast.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
