Why Does Pua the Pig Hate Water So Much in ‘Moana’

‘Moana‘ fans have spent years asking one deceptively simple question, and it all comes down to a chubby, spotted piglet who seemingly vanishes the moment the boat leaves shore. Pua, Moana’s beloved childhood companion, is everywhere in the film’s early scenes and marketing, yet he never actually sets sail with her. The reason traces back to a very specific fear that defines his character.

That fear is water, or more precisely, the open ocean and its unpredictable waves. It is a detail baked into his personality from his very first appearance, and it shapes nearly every major decision involving him for the rest of the movie.

Pua’s Fear of the Open Sea

According to Pua’s official character history, his fondness for sailing and coconut water is paired with a distinct fear of rough seas, which gives him a charming and humorous quality. He is not opposed to boats or the shoreline entirely, since he happily joins Moana in her failed attempts to spend time on the ocean and even carries an oar in his mouth to show he understands her longing to sail.

The real trouble starts when the water turns dangerous. After Pua falls into the water during one of Moana’s early attempts to leave the island, and Moana struggles to steer the boat back to save him, the little pig refuses to go anywhere near the water again. That single traumatic moment appears to be the root of everything that follows.

Fan-run character databases echo this same detail, noting that Pua cares deeply about Moana’s happiness and her sailing ambitions, but he simply does not like the rough seas. It is less a dislike of water in general and more a specific, understandable fear of the ocean’s unpredictable and often violent nature.

Why Pua Was Left Behind in ‘Moana’

The in-story explanation is straightforward, but the real reason runs deeper into the film’s writing choices. Moana realizes just how shaken Pua still is when the mere sight of an oar sends him running in fear, which is what ultimately convinces her not to drag him along on her voyage.

Behind the scenes, the decision was intentional from the start. Writer Jared Bush believed Moana’s journey needed to be as difficult and uncomfortable as possible, so Pua was written out of that portion of the story, stripping Moana of a comforting friend and adding to the hardships of her mission. Producer Osnat Shurer explained in comments cited by Entertainment Weekly that Pua was left behind so Moana could take a true hero’s journey, one in which all the comforts of her family and home stayed behind.

Not everyone behind the film was fully at peace with that call. Co-director John Musker has admitted to having mixed feelings about Pua’s removal even years after the movie’s release, a small but telling sign of how divisive the decision remained internally.

The fallout among audiences was immediate and lasting. Pua’s removal from most of the film drew negative reactions from fans and critics alike, since he had been heavily featured in pre-release marketing and many expected him to play a much larger role.

The Coconut Water and Ocean Water Distinction

It is worth pointing out that Pua’s fear is not about liquid in general, which makes his character a bit more nuanced than a simple running gag. He genuinely enjoys coconut water and sailing itself, showing that his anxiety is tied specifically to rough, open seas rather than water as a concept.

That distinction matters for how the character reads on screen. Earlier in the film, Moana is shown sharing her coconut water with Pua, a small but affectionate detail that reinforces how comfortable and trusting their bond is on land and in calm conditions.

It is only once the waves get big, fast, and dangerous that Pua’s puppy-like bravery gives way to genuine panic. That contrast between his eagerness on calm water and his terror in a storm is part of what makes his limited screen time land emotionally with viewers.

Pua’s Legacy and His Return in ‘Moana 2’

The lingering question of why Pua stayed behind became something of a running joke among fans for years, and Disney eventually leaned into it directly. In the trailer for ‘Moana 2’, Maui crash lands on Moana’s raft, spots Pua, fails to recognize him, and asks Moana why she didn’t bring the pig last time, a joke that directly calls back to the original film’s unanswered plot point.

That callback suggested something fans had hoped for since 2016. Early looks at ‘Moana 2’ indicated Pua had finally overcome his fear and joined Moana’s raft, potentially giving him the bigger role he was denied in the first film.

For a character built almost entirely around puppy-like devotion and a very specific, relatable fear, Pua’s arc from anxious piglet to potential seafaring companion feels like a long time coming. What do you think finally got Pua over his fear of the open water in ‘Moana 2’?