Few things capture the magic of childhood like a Disney movie, and for Maia Kealoha, that magic became real when she was cast as Lilo Pelekai in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch remake (People, a leading entertainment news outlet). The eight-year-old Native Hawaiian actress from the Big Island of Hawaii has quickly become one of the most talked-about young stars in Hollywood.
Full Name: Maia Kealoha ·
Date of Birth: December 15, 2016 ·
Age (as of 2025): 8 years ·
Nationality: American ·
Ethnicity: Native Hawaiian ·
Known For: Portraying Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Quick snapshot
- Plays Lilo in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025) (People)
- Born December 15, 2016 (Wikipedia, a community-driven encyclopedia)
- Native Hawaiian from the Big Island of Hawaii (ABC7 Chicago, a local news affiliate)
- First onscreen role as Lilo & Stitch in 2025 (IMDb, a film industry database)
- Net worth not publicly available
- Exact name of her brother not confirmed
- Exact age when she started acting not documented
- Parents’ occupations not publicly known
- Potential future Disney projects
- Growing public profile as a young Native Hawaiian actress
- Continued cultural representation in Hollywood
Eight key facts about Maia Kealoha, one pattern: her identity is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and verified through multiple sources.
The table below maps her core biographical details against their sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maia Kealoha |
| Birth Date | December 15, 2016 (Wikipedia) |
| Birthplace | Hawaii, USA (Kailua-Kona per Wikipedia) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Native Hawaiian (ABC7 Chicago) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Known For | Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch (2025) |
| Active Years | 2023–present |
The pattern: every biographical claim is anchored to a named source, leaving little room for speculation.
What Is Maia Kealoha’s Nationality and Ethnicity?
Maia Kealoha is American and proudly Native Hawaiian. She was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii (People, an entertainment magazine). Her Hawaiian heritage is central to her identity and her casting as Lilo, a character who is also Native Hawaiian.
Is Maia Kealoha Hawaiian?
- Yes, Maia Kealoha is Native Hawaiian from Hawaii (ABC7 Chicago).
- Kawaiola News, a Hawaiian cultural outlet, also describes her as an 8-year-old Native Hawaiian from Hawaiʻi Island (Kawaiola News, a local news source).
The implication: her casting brings authentic representation to a role that has deep cultural roots in Hawaiian storytelling.
What Does Kealoha Mean in English?
The surname Kealoha translates to “the love” or “the beloved” in Hawaiian. It’s a name that reflects warmth and affection, fitting for a young actress stepping into a role about family and ohana.
What Is Maia Kealoha Famous For?
Maia Kealoha is best known for playing Lilo Pelekai in the 2025 live-action adaptation of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. The film, released on May 23, 2025, follows the original story of a young Hawaiian girl who adopts a mischievous alien she names Stitch (People).
How Old Is Lilo in the Movie?
- In the original 2002 animated film, Lilo is a 6-year-old girl. The live-action remake keeps her age consistent, and Maia Kealoha, who was 7-8 during filming, portrays the character at that age.
Why this matters: Disney’s choice to cast a young Native Hawaiian actress adds authenticity to Lilo’s age and cultural background, a detail that resonates with audiences.
Why Has the Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Remake Sparked Controversy?
Disney’s live-action remakes often face scrutiny, and Lilo & Stitch is no exception. TIME reported that the film drew criticism over casting choices and changes to the original story (TIME, a major news magazine).
Is Nani Actually Hawaiian?
- Nani Pelekai, Lilo’s older sister, is a Hawaiian character. In the remake, she is played by Sydney Agudong, who is multiracial and was born and raised on Kauaʻi, Hawaii (TIME).
Does Lilo Actually Live in Hawaii?
- Yes, Lilo and Nani live on the island of Kauai in the fictional town of Hanapepe. The original film was set in Hawaii, and the remake retains that setting.
“The remake drew criticism over casting choices and character changes.”
TIME
The trade-off: while Disney aims to honor the original story, changes to the ending—such as Nani leaving to pursue a degree—have angered some fans, as Business Insider reported (Business Insider, a business news publication).
Who Is Maia Kealoha’s Brother?
Maia Kealoha has a brother, but his name has not been publicly confirmed. Her family keeps a relatively low profile, and details about her sibling are scarce.
How Old Was Maia Kealoha When She Started Acting?
- She began acting at a very young age. According to People, she was 5 years old when she first auditioned for Lilo & Stitch (People).
- ABC7 Chicago reported that she heard about an open casting call on her home island and asked her mom to sign her up (ABC7 Chicago).
Who Are Maia Kealoha’s Parents?
- Her parents have supported her career but are not public figures. Screendollars, a celebrity news site, says her mother is named Brittney, but this is a secondary-source claim (Screendollars, a celebrity news site).
The catch: without official confirmation from the family, details about her parents remain unverified.
How Old Is Maia Kealoha?
Maia Kealoha was born on December 15, 2016, making her 8 years old in 2025, according to Wikipedia (Wikipedia, a community-driven encyclopedia). This date is not independently confirmed by a primary source in the gathered set, but it appears consistently across secondary sources.
Where Was Maia Kealoha Born?
- She was born and raised in Hawaii, specifically on the Big Island. Wikipedia lists her birthplace as Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Wikipedia).
What Is Maia Kealoha’s Date of Birth?
- December 15, 2016.
“Maia Kealoha sees similarities between herself and Lilo, including being from Hawaii.”
People
The pattern: her age and birthplace align with the authentic portrayal of Lilo, reinforcing the casting decision’s cultural significance.
Timeline
Key milestones in Maia Kealoha’s career and life are mapped below.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Maia Kealoha born in Hawaii. |
| 2023 | Cast as Lilo in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch (People). |
| 2025 | Film released May 23; Maia gains international recognition. |
| 2025 | Honored by Gold House as a young AAPI trailblazer. |
The timeline shows a rapid ascent from a local open call to a global Disney stage in under two years.
Clarity: What We Know vs. What We Don’t
Confirmed facts
- Maia Kealoha’s date of birth (Dec 15, 2016) per Wikipedia
- Her nationality is American and ethnicity is Native Hawaiian
- She plays Lilo in the 2025 live-action film
- The meaning of Kealoha is “the love” or “the beloved”
What’s unclear
- Her net worth is not publicly available
- The exact name of her brother is not confirmed
- Her exact age when she started acting is not documented
- Details about her parents’ occupations
Summary
Maia Kealoha’s journey from a small island in Hawaii to the global stage of a Disney remake is a story of talent, representation, and cultural pride. For Disney, the choice to cast a Native Hawaiian child actress in a role that has long been a beloved part of Hawaiian culture is a step toward authenticity. For fans of the original film, the live-action remake offers a chance to see Lilo as she was always meant to be: a young Hawaiian girl who embodies the spirit of ohana. The implication for the entertainment industry is clear: authentic casting elevates a story beyond nostalgia into something truly meaningful for audiences and for Maia Kealoha.
imdb.com, youtube.com, screendollars.com, reddit.com, reddit.com
Disney cast Native Hawaiian actress Maia Kealoha, who herself shares Lilo’s heritage, in the role as detailed in Native Hawaiian actress Maia Kealoha.
Frequently asked questions
What is Maia Kealoha’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly available. As a child actress with only one major role, earnings are not disclosed.
How was Maia Kealoha discovered for the role of Lilo?
She heard about an open casting call on her home island and asked her mom to sign her up, according to ABC7 Chicago (ABC7 Chicago).
Does Maia Kealoha act in any other projects?
As of 2025, Lilo & Stitch is her first onscreen role. No other projects have been announced.
What is Maia Kealoha’s Instagram handle?
Her Instagram handle is not publicly listed in reliable sources. She may have a private account under her parents’ supervision.
How does Maia Kealoha represent Native Hawaiian culture?
By playing Lilo, a Native Hawaiian character, she brings authentic representation to a role that has been criticized in the past for not always being cast with Hawaiian actors. Her casting was widely praised by Hawaiian cultural advocates.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Report, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.