Maia (above, center on surfboard) in a scene re-created from the 2002 Lilo & Stitch movie

© 2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (Stitch, surfing); Cinematic/Alamy Stock Photo (2002 movie); Shutterstock.com (all other images)

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Bringing Lilo to Life

Meet the 8-year-old who is helping to bring the spirit of Hawaii to the big screen in Lilo & Stitch. 

May 12, 2025
By Cailin Loesch

As You Read, Think About: What are some things that are important to your home state?

When Maia Kealoha heard the news in 2022, she was buzzing with excitement. Disney was going to make a new version of Lilo & Stitch. But unlike the animated original movie, the new film was going to be live-action. Maia couldn’t wait to try out for the title role of Lilo Pelekai. 

After all, Lilo and Maia have a lot in common. They’re both from Hawaii—Maia is from the Big Island. They both surf and love hula, a sacred Hawaiian dance. After several auditions, Maia got the part.

The movie is set to be released in theaters on May 23. Lilo is Maia’s first starring role. She says filming in Hawaii was one of the most special things about the experience.

“I am really honored I get to be in something that includes my home and my culture,” the 8-year-old says.

Maia Kealoha was buzzing with excitement in 2022. She had heard the news. Disney was going to make a new version of Lilo & Stitch. Unlike the animated original movie, the new film would be live-action. Maia couldn’t wait to try out for the title role of Lilo Pelekai. 

After all, Lilo and Maia have a lot in common. They’re both from Hawaii. Maia is from the Big Island. They both surf. They both love hula, a sacred Hawaiian dance. After many auditions, Maia got the part.

The movie will be released in theaters on May 23. Lilo is Maia’s first starring role. Maia says filming in Hawaii made the experience extra special. 

“I am really honored I get to be in something that includes my home and my culture,” the 8-year-old says.

Keeping It Real

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

Maia Kealoha

Staying true to Hawaiian heritage was important not only to Maia but to the filmmaking team too. They worked hard to make sure Hawaii was shown in an authentic way. Todd Cherniawsky was the film’s production designer, or head of the art department. His job was to make sure every visual detail was just right.

Before filming began, Cherniawsky traveled to Hawaii to learn more about the state. He attended a luau (LOO-ow), a Hawaiian celebration with traditional food, music, and dancing. There, he says, he truly discovered the meaning of ‘ohana, a Hawaiian term for family. 

“Family isn’t just about blood—it’s about respect, love, and being welcomed into each other’s communities,” Cherniawsky explains. “I wanted the movie to make viewers feel that same sense of belonging.”

He and his team created more than 70 sets for the film. They found locations that both showed the beauty of the state and represented the original movie. 

Staying true to Hawaiian heritage was important to Maia—and the filmmaking team. The team worked hard to show Hawaii in an authentic way. Todd Cherniawsky was the film’s production designer. That means he was head of the art department. His job was to make sure every visual detail was just right.

Before filming began, Cherniawsky traveled to Hawaii. He wanted to learn more about the state. He attended a luau (LOO-ow). That’s a Hawaiian celebration with traditional food, music, and dancing. There, he says, he truly learned the meaning of ‘ohana. That’s a Hawaiian term for family. 

“Family isn’t just about blood—it’s about respect, love, and being welcomed into each other’s communities,” Cherniawsky explains. “I wanted the movie to make viewers feel that same sense of belonging.”

He and his team made more than 70 sets for the film. The locations the team found showed the beauty of the state. They also represented the original movie. 

More Than a Dance

One of Maia’s favorite scenes involved another important part of Hawaiian culture—hula. For Maia, dancing hula is a way of sharing her roots with the world. She’s been performing hula since she was 5 years old.

Hula, which is unique to Hawaii, has been around for centuries. Before the 1800s, there was no written language in Hawaii. Hula was a way for people to pass down Hawaii’s history to new generations. Each dance tells a story. Hula dancers sway their hips and move their hands to chants called mele (MEH-leh). 

Maia is excited to see the magic of her home state and its people on the big screen. She’s also grateful to spread aloha. The Hawaiian greeting means much more than “hello” or “goodbye.” It also represents a deep kindness and respect for all people.

“I’m glad I get to share the aloha with everyone because that’s what Lilo & Stitch is all about!” Maia says.

One of Maia’s favorite scenes involved hula. The dance is another important part of Hawaiian culture. Dancing hula is a way Maia shares her roots with the world. She’s been performing since she was 5 years old.

Hula is unique to Hawaii. It has been around for centuries. Before the 1800s, there was no written language in Hawaii. Hula allowed people to pass down Hawaii’s history to new generations. Each dance tells a story. Hula dancers move their hips and hands to chants called mele (MEH-leh). 

Maia is excited to see the magic of her home state on the big screen. And she’s grateful to spread aloha. The Hawaiian greeting means more than “hello” or “goodbye.” It also represents a kindness and respect for all people.

“I’m glad I get to share the aloha with everyone because that’s what Lilo & Stitch is all about!” Maia says.

Hula History

Courtesy of Bernadette Kaponookalani Nakamura

Hula has been a cherished Hawaiian tradition for hundreds of years. The origin story of hula varies by region. Many say it was first performed for Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. 

In the 1820s, missionaries began arriving in Hawaii. They aimed to convert Native Hawaiians to Christianity and did not approve of hula. But Hawaiians continued to perform the dance in secret. In the 1870s, Hawaiian King David Kalākaua revived hula.  

“Without hula, we lose the history,” says Bernadette Kaponookalani Nakamura (above right). She’s a kumu hula, or teacher of hula and Hawaiian culture. “It’s a huge responsibility and very meaningful for me to teach my students respect for hula.”

Hula has been a cherished Hawaiian tradition for hundreds of years. The origin story of hula varies by region. Many say it was first performed for Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. 

In the 1820s, missionaries began arriving in Hawaii. They aimed to convert Native Hawaiians to Christianity and did not approve of hula. But Hawaiians continued to perform the dance in secret. In the 1870s, Hawaiian King David Kalākaua revived hula.  

“Without hula, we lose the history,” says Bernadette Kaponookalani Nakamura (above right). She’s a kumu hula, or teacher of hula and Hawaiian culture. “It’s a huge responsibility and very meaningful for me to teach my students respect for hula.”

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  1. What are some ways that Lilo and Maia Kealoha are alike?
  2. How does the author support the idea that staying true to Hawaiian heritage was important to the filmmaking team?
  3. Based on the article and the sidebar, “Hula History,” why is hula an important part of Hawaiian culture?
  1. What are some ways that Lilo and Maia Kealoha are alike?
  2. How does the author support the idea that staying true to Hawaiian heritage was important to the filmmaking team?
  3. Based on the article and the sidebar, “Hula History,” why is hula an important part of Hawaiian culture?
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