Maia Kealoha

Last updated
Maia Kealoha
Born (2016-12-14) December 14, 2016 (age 8)
OccupationActress
Years active2023–present
Notable work Lilo and Stitch

Maia Kealoha (born December 14, 2016) [1] is an American child actress from Hawaii. She is known for playing Lilo Pelekai in the 2025 live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch , which was her film debut.

Contents

Early life

Maia Kealoha was born on December 14, 2016 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. [1] [2] She has been dancing hula since she was little. [3] She started dancing tahitiano at the age of two. In 2022, Kealoha won the title of Mini Miss Kona Coffee. [4]

Career

Kealoha's first onscreen role was in the 2025 film Lilo & Stitch , a live-action remake of the 2002 animated film of the same name. She auditioned for the role of Lilo at the age of five. [5] In 2023, Kealoha was cast as the role. [6] She was later cast in a role for the upcoming film The Wrecking Crew . [7] In August 2025 it was announced that she is going to appear as a guest star on Disney's musical series, Electric Bloom. [8] [9]

Recognition

In June 2025, Mayor of Hawaiʻi County, Kimo Alameda, proclaimed June 3, 2025 as Maia Kealoha Day on Hawaii County during a ceremony at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center. [4] Mayor Alameda said during the ceremony that proclaiming June 3 as Maia Kealoha Day is a tribute to her inspiring journey and serves as a beacon of hope for local girls and kids to pursue their dreams, no matter how big. [10]

Filmography

Key
Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
2025 Lilo & Stitch Lilo Pelekai Main role
Electric Bloom KaiaGuest star; episode: How We Handled an Unexpected Visitor [11]
TBA The Wrecking Crew TBACompleted

References

  1. 1 2 "Maia Kealoha - Actress". TV Insider. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  2. Honolulu, Michael Tsai. "'Lilo and Stich' actress, Maia Kealoha, lays claim to the summer". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  3. "Who Is Maia Kealoha? Meet the Child Star Playing Lilo in the Live-Action 'Lilo & Stitch'". People.com. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  4. 1 2 "Hawai'i County mayor proclaims June 3, 2025, Maia Keahola Day for 8-year-old star in Lilo & Stitch | Kauai Now". | Hawai‘i County mayor proclaims June 3, 2025, Maia Keahola Day for 8-year-old star in ‘Lilo & Stitch’. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  5. "Young breakout star Maia Kealoha steals hearts in 'Lilo & Stitch' live-action remake". ABC7 Chicago. 2025-05-21. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  6. Verhoeven, Beatrice (2023-03-31). "Disney's Live-Action 'Lilo & Stitch' Movie Finds Its Lilo". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  7. Palacios, Bibiana (2025-03-12). "Who is Maia Kealoha, the actress who will play Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch live-action?". Revista Merca2.0 (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-02.
  8. "It's Showtime For These Best Friends Turned Pop Stars All-New Trailer And Poster For 'Electric Bloom' Revealed Ahead Of Disney+ Debut On Sept. 17". Disney Plus Press. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
  9. Delgado, Sara (2025-08-04). "Exclusive: 'Electric Bloom' Unveils New Trailer, Guest Stars, and More". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
  10. "Maia Kealoha Day: Mayor Alameda Proclaims June 3, 2025, Maia Kealoha Day in the County of Hawaiʻi". County of Hawaiʻi News. June 4, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  11. "Maia Kealoha, Dara Reneé to guest star on Disney's 'Electric Bloom'". ABC7 New York. 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2025-09-10.