Maia Kealoha

Last updated
Maia Kealoha
Born (2016-12-15) December 15, 2016 (age 9)
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2023–present
Notable work Lilo & Stitch

Maia Kealoha (born December 15, 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 15, 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] and was cast for the role in 2023. [6] She was later cast in a role for the upcoming film The Wrecking Crew . [7] She appeared in Disney's musical series, Electric Bloom (2025) as Kaia. [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 KaiaEpisode: How We Handled an Unexpected Visitor [11]
2026 The Wrecking Crew †TBACompleted

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2025Las Vegas Film Critics Society AwardsBest Female Youth Performance (Under 21) Lilo & Stitch Nominated [12]

References

  1. 1 2 @maiakealoha; (December 15, 2024). "I'm officially 8 and this is going to be the bestest year ever! I "picked" some memories of me being 7 to share with you.💙" . Retrieved December 15, 2025– via Instagram.
  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.
  12. ↑ Neglia, Matt (2025-12-19). "The 2025 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
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