'Lilo & Stitch' star David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 57, just weeks after big screen debut
WAIMEA, HAWAII: David Hekili Kenui Bell, known for his roles in the live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'Hawaii Five-O', has died at 57.
The heartbreaking news was shared on Facebook by his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, who paid tribute to her “little brother” with a heavy heart.
David was also set to appear in the upcoming film 'The Wrecking Crew', alongside Jason Momoa and Morena Baccarin, according to IMDb. His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 57
David Hekili Kenui Bell’s sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, confirmed his death in a heartfelt and emotional Facebook post shared on June 15.
In a lengthy tribute, she expressed her grief and love for her brother, writing: "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 reflected on her deep bond with David and the pain of losing him, explaining how a pre-scheduled Father’s Day newsletter unexpectedly prompted her to share the news. “I’ve been waiting for the words and mindset to properly express the joy of a human, and Prince of a Man he was,” she wrote. “But fate pushed my hand this morning.”
Jalene shared a cherished memory of first meeting David at age 18, on her high school graduation day, an emotional reunion she described as the “most amazing surprise,” one arranged by their mothers after years of longing. “That gift has lasted a lifetime,” she said.
Though she did not grow up with a father, Jalene said David gave her the "unconditional love" she had always hoped for. "He was always so proud of me, his nieces and his grandnephew, constantly engaged and always coming up with fun activities to get-together,” she recalled.
Looking ahead to family gatherings they had planned, she added, “We looked forward to going to Tatihi and the Lindsey reunion together to create more family connections."
David Hekili Kenui Bell’s sister recounts moments with actor
In her tribute, Jalene Kanani Bell reflected on the warmth and passion that defined her brother’s life. “David loved being an actor, doing voiceovers, spending time with Brutus traveling as an ambassador for Kona Brew,” she wrote. “The film industry and entertainment was so exciting to him and I loved that he enjoyed the arts.”
She recalled how David’s background made him uniquely gifted. “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 💎.”
Jalene also highlighted David’s voiceover work, noting, “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 🌟.”
One of her most touching memories involved David’s recent appearance on the big screen. She explained, “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.”
Jalene shared how moved they were by the fans in full Lilo & Stitch gear, “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.”
After the film, she had hoped to recreate a scene with shave ice but found the store closed. “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."
Jalene Kanani Bell concludes her tribute to David Hekili Kenui Bell with a message of gratitude
Before ending her tribute, Jalene Kanani Bell expressed her gratitude to the family that raised her beloved brother. She wrote, "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 🙏🏽.”
She acknowledged the shared grief within their family, adding, “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."
Jalene concluded with a touching promise to keep David’s spirit alive through his own words. “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❤️ .”
Reflecting on their final time together, she shared a quiet, meaningful moment, “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.”
David Hekili Kenui Bell's rep pays tribute to the late actor
The actor’s representative, Lashauna Downie, reported to TMZ that she learned of David Hekili Kenui Bell’s death through social media, expressing shock and sorrow. “I am learning like you through social media,” she said. “This is heartbreaking & sad. He was one of my best talent & embodied the true meaning of aloha … a gentle giant.”
While Bell had recently made a big-screen appearance, he was also known for several small roles on television. According to his IMDb page, he portrayed Manu Salani in two episodes of Magnum PI in 2018 and 2019, and appeared as Isaac in a 2014 episode of Hawaii Five-0.
Bell’s sudden death comes nearly a year after the death of another Magnum PI and Hawaii Five-0 alum, Taylor Wily, adding to the heartbreak within the close-knit Hawai‘i entertainment community.
