The film industry is mourning the loss of David Hekili Kenui Bell, an emerging talent who recently made his big screen debut in the live-action remake of Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch.” Bell’s sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, paid tribute to him on social media, painting a picture of a man who was not only talented and handsome, but also kind, generous, and humorous.
Bell’s untimely death came just two weeks after he had organized a family viewing of the “Lilo & Stitch” movie, where he portrayed the character known as “Big Hawaiian Dude.” His sister fondly remembered the joy of that evening, noting that Bell had thoughtfully secured the best seats for the family at the Kapolei premiere.
In her tribute, Jalene highlighted her brother’s vibrant spirit and his recent accomplishment in the film industry. She referred to him as a “bright and shining star” who had made a significant impact with his role in “Lilo & Stitch.”
Bell’s representative, Lashauna Downie, also expressed her shock and sadness at the news of his passing, which she learned about through social media. She described Bell as a “gentle giant” who embodied the true meaning of aloha, and his loss as both “heartbreaking” and “sad.”
The cause of Bell’s death has not been disclosed. In addition to his role in “Lilo & Stitch,” Bell had also appeared in several television shows, including “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0.” He played the character Manu Salani in two episodes of “Magnum P.I.” in 2018 and 2019, and the character Isaac in an episode of “Hawaii Five-0” in 2014.
Bell’s sudden passing comes nearly a year after the death of Taylor Wily, another actor from “Magnum P.I.” and “Hawaii Five-0,” who died at the age of 56.
In her tribute, Jalene urged everyone to cherish their loved ones and keep their memories alive. She shared that their last moments together were spent in simple conversation, reminiscing about life and tracing their genealogy.