Just a few weeks after making his big-screen debut in the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake, actor David Hekili Kenui Bell has passed away.
Bell’s sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, shared the news on Facebook, 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. I’ve been waiting for the words and mindset to properly express the joy of a human, and Prince of a Man he was, but fate pushed my hand this morning by a pre-scheduled Father’s Day newsletter honoring the men in our lives.”
Bell appeared in “Lilo & Stitch” as a man who drops his shaved ice in shock upon seeing Pleakley in his alien form when he and Jumba appear in a portal. The appearance paid homage to a tourist in the original animated film who dropped his ice cream. The moment was criticized when it first appeared in trailers, in part because it revealed Pleakley would no longer wear drag, and because Bell is Hawaiian, defeating the purpose of the original film’s critique of white tourists. But it’s safe to say Bell still nailed the brief, meme-worthy scene.
According to his sister, Bell “planned ahead and purchased the best seats in the house” for his family to all see “Lilo & Stitch” on opening night in Kapolei two weeks ago.
“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.” Jalene Kanani Bell added that her family celebrated Bell and eased their grief after his passing by getting shaved ice, inspired by his appearance in “Lilo & Stitch.”
“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,” Jalene Kanani Bell explained. “He was and will remain a bright and shining star.”
Bell was a member of SAG-AFTRA and appeared in CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum P.I.” His IMDb page lists an upcoming appearance in Amazon MGM’s “The Wrecking Crew,” starring Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa as half-brothers investigating the conspiracy behind their father’s murder in Hawaii.
Bell wrote in an Instagram post that he became an actor because of his dad, who was an extra in the original “Hawaii Five-0.” He also posted his audition video for “Lilo & Stitch” featuring his home-made “special effects” and some behind-the-scenes photos from the film’s set.
“Mahalo to all who worked on this film!” he said in a post about a “Lilo & Stitch” screening. “Was so awesome to see so many of the true stars in my opinion, our local crew in Hawaii. They deserve just as much or more recognition! Was also happy to see so much of the cast, especially those of us that round out the world of live-action Lilo & Stitch that the filmmakers so masterfully constructed.”
See David Hekili Kenui Bell in the “Lilo & Stitch” trailer below.
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