Maia Kealoha has captured hearts worldwide as the young Hawaiian actress set to star as Lilo in Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. With her infectious smile, cultural authenticity, and natural talent, Maia is more than just a child actor — she’s a representation of how diversity and authenticity are making a powerful mark in Hollywood.

Despite being only eight years old, Maia’s journey is already inspiring many young girls who dream of the big screen. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look into her life, background, career, and family — all presented in a humanized and informative tone.

Biography: Early Life, Age, Nationality, and More

Maia Kealoha was born on 14 December 2016, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Maia is Native Hawaiian and, although this does not provide personality enrichment to her, it is a source of powerful authenticity for her role as Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s retelling of a culturally based story. The biography above reflects the status of Maia in 2025, as she is currently 8 years old. She is an American citizen, with no official recognition of her Hawaiian roots as part of her identity.

Maia was shaped by the land and sea of Hawaii, deeply rooted traditions, and a community presence. Even though an official religion has not been identified, Maia’s understanding of the world is directly informed by Hawaiian relationships to spirituality and culture.

At 3 feet, 10 inches tall (1.17 m), Maia is an average height for her age. However, her vibrant and welcoming nature, cultural pride, and natural swagger make her different — as she is not only an actor, but represents her generation of young Pacific Islanders.

Education

Maia Kealoha is still an elementary student and, with her involvement in a major film project, she is likely being homeschooled or tutored privately. Child actors frequently operate in this educational setup. Studios like Disney monitor the academic portion and employ a licensed educator/professor either on location or on set, which helps her with her schooling progress. This enables Maia to continue her education while experiencing her first taste of acting.

In addition to formal schooling, Maia is learning about her cultural background. Prior to acting, she participated in hula dancing and other traditional Hawaiian activities. This type of cultural education often provides a young person with a solid foundation of internal values, discipline, and performance style, and positions her as a confident but grounded individual.

Parents and Family

Maia Kealoha comes from a warm and loving family that has been with Maia every step of the way. Maia’s parents, Brittney Kealoha and Oni Kealoha, live in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and have helped Maia navigate the beginning stages of her acting career. Anyone who follows Maia on social media can see just how closely bonded she is with her mother. Her mother not only shares Maia’s journey, but also shows unlimited pride in her daughter, whether it is to celebrate a birthday or share her daughter’s casting as Lilo.

And speaking of pride and encouragement, Maia’s dad, Oni, is also well expressed and impactful in her life. We can see from interviews that Maia holds deep admiration and love for her dad, and she even remembered a moment where she was blessed to celebrate with her dad after she found out she received the role of Lilo. For Maia, having emotionally supportive and culturally grounded parents has made an abundance of difference in her initial steps toward starting her career. The deep connection and importance that the Kealoha family places on their bond, values, and spirituality hold strong in her life and keep her humble and balanced as she continues to step into the spotlight.

Career: Becoming Disney’s Lilo

Maia Kealoha’s entry into the acting world couldn’t have been any more serendipitous. She is Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch — what could be better for a young actor’s initiation than this? When Disney made the announcement about their casting in March 2023, it sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. From thousands of young girls auditioning for the role, there was Maia, who stood out — not only because of her charisma and storytelling ability on screen, but by bringing an even larger presence in her undeterred commitment to the culture and heritage of being Hawaiian.

Before Hollywood knocked on her door, Maia was already dancing her way into fame locally in her hometown of Kona, Hawaii, as a well-known hula dancer performing at community events. It wasn’t just the performance (which was remarkable), but the fact that she represented everything about the treatment of her island mother and the values of her cultural heritage of being Hawaiian through her actions. Essentially, she was already embodying Lilo. Maia was independent, emotionally sage, extremely loving towards her ‘ohana (family), and she didn’t have to expand the thoughts in her mind relative to being Lilo — she was essentially Lilo herself.

Lilo & Stitch is Maia’s first major role, but the hype surrounding her is already real. Disney is taking a major step in the direction of cultural accuracy and representation, and Maia’s casting is an incredible start to an impressive, promising career — as well as a significant step in the direction of careful, thoughtful storytelling in Hollywood. Audiences are eagerly awaiting her performance not only because she’s talented but because she signifies a new kind of Hollywood star — one who is rooted in authenticity and pride in her heritage.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Maia Kealoha has an estimated net worth of $100,000. Most of this net worth is generated from her Disney contract with the Lilo & Stitch film. Child actors that work for major studios are paid significant base salaries as lead actors and can go on to receive merchandising payments, residuals, and promotional appearances.

As Maia is a minor, her working income is preserved for her via what’s called a Coogan account. A Coogan account is a legal trust that ensures a minor (child actor) saves a portion of the income they receive from acting in a film.

Maia may also be considered for endorsements, brand deals, or voice acting roles in addition to acting roles — which only helps to expand her portfolio further. Even though Maia’s current net worth may be astute for someone her age, it’s the way she might develop as a person and positive influence over time that should allow her to stand out as someone to truly anticipate following in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maia Kealoha

1. Who is Maia Kealoha?

Maia Kealoha is a young Native Hawaiian actress who gained worldwide attention after being cast as Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. Known for her authentic representation of Hawaiian culture and her background as a skilled hula dancer, Maia is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about rising stars in Hollywood.

2. How old is Maia Kealoha in 2025?

Maia Kealoha was born on 14 December 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. As of 2025, she is 8 years old.

3. What is Maia Kealoha’s nationality and ethnicity?

Maia Kealoha is American by nationality and proudly Native Hawaiian by ethnicity, which adds cultural depth to her role as Lilo in the Disney film.

4. Who are Maia Kealoha’s parents?

Maia’s parents are Brittney Kealoha (mother) and Oni Kealoha (father). They are known to be loving, supportive, and deeply involved in Maia’s life and early career, helping her stay grounded as she enters the spotlight.

5. What is Maia Kealoha’s net worth?

As of 2025, Maia Kealoha’s estimated net worth is around $100,000. Most of her earnings come from her Disney contract, and like many child actors, a portion of her income is secured in a Coogan account for future use.