"Similar, yes. It involves applying tar to the outside of the rope - when it dries it leaves the rope imperious to the weather. Although it does have a tendency to stain, even after it's dried."

There's a pause there, and then it occurs to him that if Moana isn't familiar with the process of tarring, then it's entirely possible that she isn't familiar with tar either.

"Ah, pine tar. It's one of the substances that results from burning pine wood under specific conditions - usually involving a kiln, if I recall correctly."

The records available to him are a little less than clear on that front, and he hasn't exactly had time to do a whole lot of experimenting on that front. But it's what makes the most sense, and assuming they had a suitable kiln (and need of tar for whatever purpose) he'd be glad to try his hand at making some. Even if it might take him a couple of tries to get it right.