‘Stitch’ Star David Hekili Kenui Bell Passes Away – Fans Mourn the Loss

David Hekili Kenui Bell, acclaimed for his role in the live-action Disney movie Lilo & Stitch, has passed away according to a statement on Facebook by his sister Jalene Kanani Bell. The announcement did not specify the cause of his death.

“With profound sadness, I announce the passing of my wonderful, kind-hearted, talented, humorous, brilliant, and charming younger brother David H. K. Bell, who is now with our Heavenly Father,” she expressed.

Bell’s online profiles reveal his membership in SAG-AFTRA and his roles in the CBS shows Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I. His Facebook page also mentioned several upcoming projects. His IMDb Pro page noted that he had completed filming for The Wrecking Crew, an upcoming action-comedy by Amazon MGM Studios featuring Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa as mismatched half-brothers involved in a conspiracy surrounding their father’s death in Hawaii.

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In the 2025 live-action version of the beloved 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch, Bell played a character reminiscent of the tourist who famously drops his mint chocolate chip ice cream. In the new film, Bell, a native Hawaiian, drops his shaved ice in shock upon witnessing Jumba (played by Zach Galifianakis) and Pleakley (played by Billy Magnussen) opening a portal to the island.

Just two weeks prior to his passing, Bell shared his audition video for the role of “Big Hawaiian Dude” and some behind-the-scenes images from the shoot. In a previous Instagram post, he shared his gratitude, “Mahalo to everyone involved in this movie! Attending a Cast and CREW screening was so meaningful. It was incredible to acknowledge our local crew in Hawaii, the real stars, who deserve as much or even more recognition! It was also great to see many cast members who helped bring the world of live-action Lilo & Stitch to life, a vision beautifully realized by the filmmakers.”

“David adored acting, voiceover work, and traveling with Brutus as a representative for Kona Brew,” his sister recounted. “He was passionate about the film industry and the arts. He attended Punahou and Kalani High School, and our father, who spoke Hawaiian, instilled in him the ability to deliver lines fluently in English, using indigenous insights and local Pidgin… He truly shone like a diamond in the rough. You could even hear his voice over the PA system at Kona Airport, where he worked to ensure a fantastic and safe experience for travelers.”

Bell attended Kalani High School and studied at Hawaii Community College and Kapiolani Community College, according to his Facebook. Before his untimely death, he served as an assistant airport superintendent at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.