Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell, who appears in live action remake of Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch," died on Thursday, June 12, according to members of his family. He was 46 years old.
“Hekili embodied aloha," his sister Jalene Kanani Bell, the founder of Noho Home, told Aloha State Daily in a written statement. "He was precious to us, always so mindful and caring."
On Facebook, she recounted going to see "Lilo & Stitch" with her brother for the opening night in Kapolei. Bell appeared in "Lilo & Stitch" with shave ice, which he dropped after encountering aliens at The Kahala Hotel & Resort.
“He was always about family, a constant companion to his mom Geraldine Kenui Bell, he especially loved heading to Maui to visit his ‘ohana and enjoy some kanikapila,” she told ASD.
He previously was part of “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaiʻi Five-0,” according to IMDb. He was also one of the faces in the Kona Brewing Co.'s "One Life, Right?" commercials. He was featured in the Kona Brewing Hawaiʻi TV Campaign, which received a 2025 Pele Award.
A cause of death was not shared.
Watch the actorʻs iconic shave ice moment at the 1 minute 55 second mark of the trailer for Disney's remake of "Lilo & Stitch."
"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," his sister shared on Facebook. "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."
Updates about memorial services and tributes will be shared in the coming days, the family shared in a written statement.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
