Auli‘i Cravalho, the Kamehameha Schools graduate who voiced Moana in the hit Disney animated film, has had a whirlwind year ever since she came out on Tik Tok in April 2020.
In June 2021, half-smiling in a full page story with photo in Entertainment Weekly, she’s talking about how far she’ll go in the next step of her acting career. The placement of this interview-profile piece is significant: Cravalho is one of the myriad of entertainment stars, current and future, in The Pride Issue of EW.
For the LGBTQ community, June is big time. At the end of the month, gay pride awareness will be front-and-center, with huge parades particularly in San Francisco and New York, hubs of the movement.
Cravalho is elated that her decision to go public about her sexuality is resonating with fans, friends and followers. “The fans are only too happy to accept another gay,” she is quoted.
Since “Moana,” she has landed roles big and small, and is currently filming an Amazon Pride Video series, “The Power,” but also has been sought to portray roles written expressly as bisexual or gay, reflecting life.
While she hasn’t been formally asked to revisit Moana in a rumored live-action Disney film beyond the animated original, Cravalho – who is part Hawaiian — is happy to have crossed the intersection of being pigeon-holed into the mass of “racially ambiguous, Latin-esque girl…who sings her way out of poverty.” Inclusion and awareness are part of the new threshold of Hollywood.
Disney may do “Moana 2” as a cartoon, and yes, Dwayne Johnson will return as Maui the Demigod. Others expected in the sequel: Rachel House as Pools, Temuira Morrison as Tuira, Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa, Alan Tudyk as HeiHei and Nicole Scherzinger as Sina, according to online sources. …
Liliha Bakery in Waikiki
It’s going to be confusing soon, when a Liliha Bakery branch opens at the International Market Place in Waikiki.
Proprietor Peter Kim is expanding the reach of Liliha’s famous coco puffs, in the heart of the visitor center, when the new outlet opens in the site formerly occupied by Kahu’s Sushi and Seafood Buffet and Yauatcha Waikiki.
Liliha’s original bakery is in Liliha, of course, famous for its always-filled counter service,and larger restaurants at Macy’s in Ala Moana Center and another on Nimitz Highway.
Kim has filed permit applications for his fourth Liliha’s Bakery, the timetable for which has not been announced. But you gotta know that coco puffs will be a take-off champ from the get go, and dining in should bring visitors – and locals who venture to Waikiki – to enjoy local style, breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Kim, founder of Yummy Korean B-B-Q take-out restaurants, operates a range of other restaurants, including Signature Streak House atop the Ala Moana Hotel. …
More ‘Mosquito’ on the way
With Apple TV+ winding up the first season of “The Mosquito Coast” on June 4, it’s grand news for series stars Justin Theroux and Melissa George.
The word of a second season also is reason to celebrate for Paul Theroux, the author of the book on which the series is based. Paul is the uncle of Justin and has been spending pandemic time at his North Shore pad; he also is one of the executive producers in a hui that also includes Justin.
This TV take on “Mosquito” follows an earlier 1986 feature film starring Harrison Ford.
The series has had mixed reviews from critics and since Apple doesn’t release Nielsen ratings numbers for its project, there’s no yardstick on how popular the show is/was.
Theroux’s latest novel is “Under the Wave at Waimea,” with a surfer protagonist riding the metaphorical waves that reflect life, with a stunning North Shore presence. The perfect book for summer reading, rippling with Theroux’s brilliant and vivid storytelling technique.. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wow – some news this AM about Moana..Will be good to catch Moana 2 when it comes out. Toobad I can’t get back to Waikiki now that Liliha Bakery will be coming there. Aloha Dolores