David Hekili Kenui Bell, 'Lilo & Stitch' Actor, Has Passed Away
Image Source: Baller Alert
David Hekili Kenui Bell passed away at the age of 46 on June 12. The actor was recently seen in the live-action Lilo & Stitch. Replacing the role of the tourist who drops his ice cream in the animated film, Bell played a local who dropped his shaved ice after seeing Jumba and Pleakly’s alien hijinks. Bell belonged to SAG-AFTRA and had roles in Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I. as well as in commercials for Kona Brewing. He also worked on the not-yet-released film The Wrecking Crew, so fans may get to witness more of his performances. Bell attended Kalani High School, Hawaii Community College, and Kapiolani Community College. He served as an assistant airport superintendent at Kona International Airport.
His sister Kanani Bell shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, “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.” She continued describing his experience, “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.”
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Kanani recalled meeting Bell at her high school graduation, crediting him with giving her the unconditional love she missed from not having a father around. Kanani’s last memory with her brother was attending the Lilo & Stitch remake and then hanging out. On social media, she wrote, “Hug your loved ones today. Our last time together after returning home from the movie was just sitting on my living room couch, talking stories 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.”
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