Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell, who recently appeared in the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch and is also known for his roles in Magnum, P.I. and Hawaii Five-0, has died at the age of 46. His sister Jalene Kanani Bell confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Sunday, though a cause of death has not been released.
“It is with a heavy heart I share that my sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant and handsome little brother David H. K. Bell will spend today in the company of our Heavenly Father,” Jalene wrote. “While I didn’t grow up with a Father, David gave me all the unconditional love I could possibly ask for and I believe that all his family and friends received the same from him💕.”
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David Hekili Kenui Bell’s representative, Lashauna Downie, told TMZ she also learned of the news through social media. “This is heartbreaking & sad,” she said. “He was one of my best talent[s] & embodied the true meaning of aloha … a gentle giant.”
With Monday’s wide release of Lilo & Stitch, Bell made his big-screen debut, playing a character known for a comedy bit where he drops his shaved ice. He celebrated the achievement with friends and family at a cast-and-crew screening and shaved ice last month. “Now, Mahalo to everyone who worked on this film!” he wrote on Instagram. “It was so awesome to see so many of the true stars in my opinion, our local crew in Hawaii. They deserve just as much or more recognition!”
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“David loved being an actor, doing voiceovers, spending time with Brutus traveling as an ambassador for Kona Brew. The film industry and entertainment was so exciting to him and I loved that he enjoyed the arts,” Bell’s sister wrote in her post. “He went to Punahou and Kalani while our dad spoke Hawaiian so his ability to deliver lines with English understanding, Indigenous knowledge and Pidgin to da Max…made him a diamond in the rough 💎 You can hear him over the PA system on arrival at Kona Airport where he loved working to create an awesome and safe customer experience.”
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She concluded her remembrance of her brother by writing, “He was and will remain a bright and shining star 🌟.”
