HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at safeguarding the earnings of child and youth performers from mismanagement, exploitation and abuse.
Joining him for the signing of House Bill 874 was Maia Kealoha, an 8-year-old from Kailua-Kona who plays Lilo in Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” live-action film.
The enactment of this law aligns with efforts in other states to ensure that minors in the entertainment industry can access their earnings when they reach legal age, according to the governor’s office.
“Hawaii is fortunate to have so much emerging talent making it to the big stage,” Green said at the signing ceremony. “By signing HB 874 into law, we are committing not only to protecting local talent, but also supporting keiki who are entering and pursuing a career in entertainment by enforcing measures that protect their earnings from misuse. This law could also serve as a model for protecting minors in other fast-growing spaces — like sports and social media.”
HB 874, now Act 173, requires a parent or legal guardian to create a trust fund for the benefit of the child performer before the child begins their first employment in the entertainment industry.
Under this act, the trust fund must be maintained and employers are required to deposit at least 15% of the child’s gross earnings into the account.
“This law will protect Hawaii’s keiki performers by ensuring that a portion of their income is set aside in a trust they can access when they become an adult,” said state Rep. Mike Lee of Oahu, who introduced the measure. “Many other states already have similar protections, and I’m pleased that Hawaii is taking this important step. Mahalo to the community advocates who supported this bill.”
The measure draws from the example set by the California Child Actor’s Bill, commonly known as the Coogan Law, or Coogan’s Law, to provide financial security and rights for minors in the entertainment industry.
By enacting this bill, Hawaii affirms its commitment to support the well-being and safety of our keiki who choose to pursue a career in entertainment, according to the governor’s office.
“Getting to be part of a Disney movie has been a dream come true — but it’s also a job,” Kealoha said. “I’m really happy that Hawaii now has a law to help protect kids like me who are working in movies or shows. It means that when we grow up, we’ll have something saved for our future. Mahalo to Governor Green and everyone who helped pass this law — it shows that you care about keiki chasing big dreams and doing it safely.”
It’s been a big week for Kealoha. On Tuesday, Mayor Kimo Alameda proclaimed June 3, 2025, as Maia Kealoha Day to honor her achievements.
The ceremony took place at the West Hawaii Civic Center, where Alameda, members of his cabinet, Kealoha, her family and supporters joined together to celebrate her success.
“Maia is not only a talented young actress, she represents the dreams of many children in our island community. By stepping into this iconic role, she has shown that opportunities are limitless,” Alameda said during the ceremony. “Proclaiming June 3 as Maia Kealoha Day is a tribute to her inspiring journey and serves as a beacon of hope for local girls and kids to pursue their dreams, no matter how big.”
Kealoha is the daughter of Palani and Brittney Kealoha and sister to her little brother, Micah.
Green on Wednesday also expressed his intention to support Hawaii’s film industry by revealing his intention to veto a bill that would allow tax credits for the film production and other industries to sunset.
“I believe in the tax credit for film personally, and vetoing the bill will keep them at the $50 million per year,” he said. “I’d like to see a bill crafted that expands the credit for films that focus on local culture or have a local Hawaii connection, or have cultural significance. I want to see the film industry continue to increase.”
