Maia Kealoha
Maia Kealoha is an American actress from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. She became known for playing Lilo Pelekai in Disney's 2025 live-action film adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, her first onscreen role. Her work also includes the Disney series Electric Bloom and the film The Wrecking Crew.
Career
Kealoha made her onscreen debut as Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch, the live-action remake of Disney's 2002 animated film. She auditioned for the role when she was five and was cast in 2023.
She appeared as Kaia in an episode of Disney's musical series Electric Bloom in 2025 and was cast as Lani in The Wrecking Crew. Her announced and completed projects also include the holiday film Nutmeg & Mistletoe, in which she plays Alma, the animated short Lilo & Scratch, in which she voices Lilo, and Lilo & Stitch 2.
Recognition
In June 2025, Hawaiʻi County proclaimed June 3 as Maia Kealoha Day during a ceremony at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center. The proclamation honored her journey and encouraged local children to pursue their ambitions.
Kealoha received nominations from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society for Best Female Youth Performance for Lilo & Stitch and from the Saturn Awards for Best Younger Performer in a Film. She was also included on Gold House's 2026 Gold100 list.
Quick facts
- Kealoha auditioned for Lilo when she was five years old and was cast in 2023.
- She began dancing Tahitian dance at the age of two.
- She won the title of Mini Miss Kona Coffee in 2022.
- Her first onscreen role was Lilo Pelekai in the 2025 live-action film Lilo & Stitch.
- She played Kaia in an episode of Disney's musical series Electric Bloom.
- She played Lani in The Wrecking Crew.
- She is set to play Alma in the holiday film Nutmeg & Mistletoe.
- She voices Lilo Pelekai in the animated short Lilo & Scratch.
- She is set to reprise Lilo Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch 2.
- Hawaiʻi County proclaimed June 3, 2025 as Maia Kealoha Day.
- She was nominated for Best Female Youth Performance by the Las Vegas Film Critics Society for Lilo & Stitch.
- She was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Younger Performer in a Film for Lilo & Stitch.
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