David Hekili Kenui Bell, an actor who recently appeared in the “Lilo & Stitch” live-action remake as well as in shows like “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0,” has died.
Bell’s sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, confirmed his death in a Facebook post. A cause of death has not been announced.
“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 Kanani Bell wrote Sunday.
Bell had recently shared photos from the “Lilo & Stitch” set on Instagram, as well as a clip from his audition. He played a character named Big Hawaiian Dude who comedically drops his shaved ice dessert at the sight of an alien portal. The Screen Actors Guild member also played a character named Isaac in “Hawaii Five-0” Season 5, Episode 4 and Manu Saluni in “Magnum P.I.” Season 1.
“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 added in her tribute. “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.”
Bell was from Kaimuki and studied at Kalani High School, according to his Facebook page. He was living in Waimea prior to his death and had worked as an assistant airport superintendent at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
He wrote about “Lilo & Stitch” on Instagram in May, “Now, Mahalo to everyone who worked on this film! I knew it would be special to attend a Cast and CREW screening and it didn’t disappoint! It was so awesome to see so many of the true stars in my opinion, our local crew in Hawaii.”
