Walt Disney Studios hasn’t said much about the Polynesian heroine in its newest film, "Moana," but the animated feature is sure to be a lightning rod for filmmakers, writers and producers meeting here this week to discuss cultural responsibility, indigenous storytelling and how to ensure visiting Hollywood directors understand that.

Participants in Wednesday’s Hawaiian Media Makers Conference will even get to question the New Zealand writer on the Disney project, Taika Waititi. The Oscar-nominated director will join a lunch panel. (The panel’s topic: Building a Native Industry.)

"Moana," which Disney announced last week, is the story of a teenage navigator in ancient Oceania. It’s expected in theaters in late 2016.

The film raises questions of intellectual property rights that are relevant in Hawaii, said filmmaker Leanne Ferrer, executive director of Pacific Islanders in Communications, a conference sponsor.

"‘Moana’ may be the poster child for the whole conference," she said. "These same discussions happened when the Rock (Dwayne Johnson) talked about playing Kamehameha. Who has the right to tell Kamehameha’s story? Who has the right to play that part?"

It’s also a reminder on the importance of accuracy, Ferrer said. When Ferrer watched "The Descendants" and listened to Hawaiian music by slack-key guitarist Gabby Pahinui, she cringed. The music and the Hawaiian lyrics often had a different meaning than the scene they were paired with, she said.

The timely discussion could go to the heart of the conference.

Organizers plan a wide range of topics but will bring everyone together at the end of the day to draft a handbook filled with cultural advice for visiting productions. It would be similar to one created in New Zealand.

There’s good reason to have one in Hawaii, Ferrer said.

"I think we separately have our own stories about working for, or with, clients who have no respect for the land and the culture of Hawaii," she said. "People have felt they couldn’t say anything but maybe coming together as a collective media-makers group you do feel some power in numbers."

State film commissioner Donne Dawson, who will moderate two discussions, said Hawaiians want control over their stories. After 100 years of film and television in Hawaii, she wants "a real conversation" about cultural sensitivity.

"To what degree has that been a fair, authentic, culturally appropriate representation of our people and our immense legacy and history as the original inhabitants of these islands?" she said. "That cultural representation has been taken from us and represented in whatever way that these producers think is fitting and marketable for their purposes."

Heather Giugni, an independent Native Hawaiian filmmaker for more than 25 years, also wants to see a handbook for visiting productions.

Giugni has believed that since she first saw what New Zealanders call "the brown book" during a gathering of indigenous television broadcasters in 2008.

But she doesn’t feel that filmmakers are purposely disrespecting Hawaiian culture.

"I think if they have done something wrong it is not their fault," she said. "They just don’t have access to this kind of information."

For registration information and a schedule of discussions, visit hawaiianmediamakers.com.

AND that’s a wrap …

Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.