Disney’s Animal Kingdom performer Alema Vaiaoga helped train stunt performers in Pacific movement and fire knife techniques after joining Disney’s live-action “Moana” as one of the title character’s ancestors.
Vaiaoga is a fire and knife performer in Festival of the Lion King. His film work expanded after he shared his experience and skills on set.
“I went there ready to work, ready to learn and ready to share what I knew,” Vaiaoga said.
His connection to Disney’s fire knife performances began with his father, who joined the opening cast of the Spirit of Aloha show in 1971 and the opening cast of Festival of the Lion King in 1998. Vaiaoga later auditioned for Disney after his father retired.
Away from the park, Vaiaoga teaches the traditional dance to his sons. He said appearing in the film gave his children something they could watch and recognize as their father’s work.
Read Disney’s full Alema Vaiaoga profile.