Few childhood moments compare to landing a role in a Disney movie — especially when that character shares your own heritage. For eight-year-old Maia Kealoha from Hawaii, that moment arrived when she was cast as Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, released in 2025 and introducing her to a global audience amid questions about her age, ethnic background, and family.
Full name: Maia Kealoha ·
Born: reportedly December 15, 2016 (Wikipedia) ·
Nationality: American (People) ·
Ethnicity: Native Hawaiian (ABC7 New York) ·
Known for: Playing Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch (Deadline)
Quick snapshot
- Played Lilo in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch (Deadline cast guide)
- Child actress from Hawaii (IMDb profile)
- Eight years old at the time of the film’s 2025 release (ABC7 New York)
- Instagram handle @maiakealoha (Official Instagram)
- Exact birth date (some sources report January 2017, others December 2016)
- Names and occupations of her parents
- Specific casting date and audition process
- Upcoming projects beyond Lilo & Stitch
- Continues to gain recognition as a young Native Hawaiian actress
- No announced projects after Lilo & Stitch as of late 2025
- Social media following growing rapidly
A quick overview of her core identifiers, drawn from verified sources:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maia Kealoha |
| Date of birth | December 15, 2016 (per Wikipedia) |
| Nationality | American (People) |
| Ethnicity | Native Hawaiian and AAPI (ABC7 New York) |
| Famous role | Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch (Deadline) |
| @maiakealoha (Official Instagram) |
What is Maia Kealoha’s nationality and ethnicity?
Maia Kealoha is an American child actress who was born and raised in Hawaii. Multiple entertainment outlets describe her as Native Hawaiian and of Asian-Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage. ABC7 New York reports she is a native Hawaiian, while People notes her Hawaiian roots. Her IMDb biography also lists her as a young actress from Hawaii. There is no publicly available information naming her parents’ professions or her exact family makeup.
The implication: Kealoha’s casting as Lilo — a Hawaiian character — is a rare instance of authentic representation. For a child actress from the Big Island, the role mirrors her own cultural background, which is still uncommon in major studio productions.
How old is Maia from Lilo and Stitch?
- At the time of Lilo & Stitch‘s release in May 2025, Kealoha was eight years old, according to ABC7 New York.
- Her exact birth date is disputed: some fan-curated sites like Famous Birthdays place her birth in January 2017, while Wikipedia lists December 15, 2016.
- Based on the May 2025 coverage, she had likely turned eight by the premiere.
Where is Maia Kealoha from?
Kealoha was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, according to People. Her hometown has not been specified beyond the island, but her connection to Hawaii is a central part of her public identity. IMDb and ABC7 both emphasize her Hawaiian upbringing.
What is Maia Kealoha’s race?
She identifies as Native Hawaiian and Asian-Pacific Islander (AAPI). This combination aligns with the heritage of the character she portrays. The ABC7 New York profile describes her as a native Hawaiian, and People refers to her as a Hawaiian child star.
With Asian and Pacific Islander representation still lagging in Hollywood, a Native Hawaiian lead in a Disney live-action film is a noteworthy step. Kealoha’s casting signals a shift toward authentic casting that reflects the story’s cultural setting.
How old is Maia from Lilo and Stitch?
Coverage from May 2025 consistently pegs Kealoha’s age at eight. Entertainment Tonight also described her as eight years old in a social media post during the film’s promotional cycle. Discrepancies in her birth month remain unresolved — some databases list January 2017, others December 2016 — but no official documentation has been publicly confirmed. What is clear: she was a child actor at the time of her breakout role.
The catch: Without a verified birth certificate or official biography, the exact date remains in the “unclear” column. For fans and journalists, relying on the age given by primary coverage is the safest bet.
What is Maia Kealoha famous for?
Kealoha is known internationally for playing Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s 2025 live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch. The film was released in May 2025 and featured her as the central young lead, alongside a cast that included voice actor Chris Sanders as Stitch. Deadline included her in its cast gallery, and IMDb bio states her international recognition comes from this role. She also attended the Toy Story 5 premiere in 2025, calling the experience surreal in a Facebook post.
What movies has Maia Kealoha appeared in?
To date, Lilo & Stitch (2025) is her only credited film appearance. She has no prior acting credits listed on IMDb or in major entertainment databases. Her career effectively began with this one film.
What is Maia Kealoha doing now?
As of late 2025, Kealoha is enjoying the aftermath of her breakout role. She has not announced any upcoming projects. Her Instagram following has grown rapidly, and she remains active on social media. The The View (TikTok) shared a video of the moment she learned she got the role, highlighting the emotional weight of the casting.
For a first film, landing a Disney lead is a launchpad that few child actors experience. Kealoha’s representation as a Native Hawaiian actress in a major studio film positions her as a cultural figure well beyond her age — the question is what project she chooses next.
Timeline signal
- December 15, 2016 (reportedly): Maia Kealoha born in Hawaii.
- 2024 (likely): Cast as Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch.
- May 2025: Lilo & Stitch released; Kealoha attends Toy Story 5 premiere.
This timeline shows a rapid rise from unknown child to globally recognized Disney star in less than a year.
Confirmed facts
- American citizen, raised in Hawaii.
- Native Hawaiian and AAPI ethnicity.
- Played Lilo in the 2025 Disney live-action film.
- Instagram handle @maiakealoha.
What’s unclear
- Born December 15, 2016 (per Wikipedia, not independently verified).
- Exact mix of her ethnic background (beyond Native Hawaiian and AAPI).
- Names and occupations of her parents.
- Specific casting date and audition process.
- Upcoming projects after Lilo & Stitch.
“I’m so proud to be the youngest Native Hawaiian actress to reach this milestone.”
— Maia Kealoha, via Facebook post (2025)
“She is a Hawaiian child star who has quickly become a household name.”
— People magazine (2025)
The pattern: Kealoha’s story is one of rapid, authentic breakthrough. For the entertainment industry, her casting represents a concrete step toward casting Native Hawaiian talent in stories set in Hawaii. For her, the challenge will be navigating child stardom while continuing to represent a community that rarely sees itself on screen.
Related reading
- Haley Joel Osment: From Child Star to Character Actor
- Emma Myers: Biography & Disability Clarification
Frequently asked questions
How did Maia Kealoha get cast as Lilo?
The exact casting process has not been publicly detailed. A TikTok from The View shows the moment she learned she got the role, but no details about auditions or selection criteria have been released.
What is Maia Kealoha’s Instagram handle?
Her official Instagram is @maiakealoha.
Does Maia Kealoha have any siblings?
No information about siblings has been shared in any verified source or interview.
What are Maia Kealoha’s upcoming projects?
As of late 2025, she has no announced future projects. Her career is currently centered on the success of Lilo & Stitch.
Is Maia Kealoha the youngest actress to play Lilo?
Yes. The original animated Lilo was voiced by Daveigh Chase, who was nine during production. Kealoha, at eight, is the youngest to portray the character in any format.
What did Maia Kealoha say about playing Lilo?
In a Facebook post, she expressed pride in being the youngest Native Hawaiian actress to reach a box office milestone with the film.
How can I follow Maia Kealoha’s career?
Follow her on Instagram and check IMDb for future credits.
Andrew Ellis leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Australia Focus.