Lilo and Stitch actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies as family pays heartbreaking tribute
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Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell has died, his sister has announced in a heartbreaking tribute.
David’s sister Jalene Kanani Bell revealed the loss with a ‘heavy heart’ in a statement posted to her Facebook account on Sunday. A cause of death has not been revealed.
The tragic loss comes only weeks after Bell appeared for the first time on big screens in the live-action version of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, which was released on May 23.
David’s family confirmed the death with TMZ, while his rep Lashauna Downie told the outlet: ‘I am learning like you through social media. This is heartbreaking & sad. He was one of my best talent & embodied the true meaning of aloha … a gentle giant.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for David but did not immediately hear back.
‘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’s post began. ‘I’ve been waiting for the words and mindset to properly express the joy of a human, and Prince of a Man he was, but fate pushed my hand this morning by a pre-scheduled Father’s Day newsletter honoring the men in our lives.
Lilo & Stitch actor David Hekili Kenui Bell has died, his sister has announced in a heartbreaking tribute
‘I met my little brother at the age of 18, on my high school graduation day, it was the most amazing surprise which I had been asking for for years, that our mom’s made happen for us, and that gift has lasted a lifetime.
‘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.
‘He was always so proud of me, his nieces and his grandnephew, constantly engaged and always coming up with fun activities to get-together. We looked forward to going to Tatihi and the Lindsey reunion together to create more family connections.
‘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. He went to Punahou and Kalani while our dad spoke Hawaiian so his ability to deliver lines with English understanding, Indigenous knowledge and Pidgen 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.
‘He was and will remain a bright and shining star. He recently made it on to the big screen with an iconic Lilo & Stich momment. He planned ahead and purchased the best seats in the house for us all to go together to opening night in Kapolei just two short weeks ago. That’s one trait we didn’t share, planning ahead:) We talked about and were so energized by the fans dressed in L&S gear head to toe, t-shirts, onezees, hats, mask, and the merch galore flying off the shelf as we stood in line for pop-corn.
‘I said we should get shave ice after the movie and reenact the sceen but then realized the store was already closed. To celebrate him and try to ease our grief we went to get shave ice and my grandson’s emotion was on point.
‘To Aunty Gerry and the Kenui ‘Ohana you raised an amazing human who became the most loving and supportive man in my life and I am eternally grateful.
Bell made an appearance in the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch, which was recently released on May 23, and has also had roles in Magun P.I. and Hawaii Five-O
His sister paid a heartbreaking tribute to the actor
‘I share this grief with our older sister Kehau Bell, and my younger sister, Lara Leimana, who while not a Bell, loved and adored him as her own.
‘He enjoyed social media and I’ll be resharing some of my favorite post he made, and some I am just seeing for the first time that I missed, because they are so funny and heartwarming.
‘Hug your loved ones today…our last time together after returning home from the movie was just sitting on my living room couch talking story about life, having a seltzer and doing a little genealogy. Blessed by this and all the big and small moments, I will keep our memories alive.’
In addition to his role on Lilo & Stitch, David has also made appearances in Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-O.
‘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,’ his sister said in the post
According to his IMDb, he is set to appear in another film as well – The Wrecking Crew, which is currently in post-production.
David’s last Instagram post was on May 30.
He shared an interview with the team behind Kona Brewing’s campaign, which won the Pele Award for Best In Show for Advertising.
David, an ambassador for the brand, raved in the caption: ‘2025 Pele Awards Overall Winner! #KonaBrewingHawaii #NMG #NellaMediaGroup.’
The actor, who played ‘Big Hawaiian Dude’ in Lilo & Stitch, had been keeping fans up-to-date on the film on his social media.
Last month he shared video of his audition, which saw him humorously failing to eat a fake snow cone.
‘My audition had some special effects,’ he captioned the post. ‘I’m pretty sure that’s what did it… Also some random stuff… #LiloAndStitch #Stitch #Disney.’
