David Hekili Kenui Bell was a Hawaiian actor and cultural voice artist who made a significant impact in 2025 through his heartwarming role in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch.
Though not a Hollywood regular, his genuine presence on screen left a lasting impression. Bell became the talk of the summer following the film’s release and, tragically, his sudden passing on his 57th birthday. Audiences across Hawaii and beyond paid tribute to his authenticity, warmth, and representation of Native Hawaiian identity in global cinema.
In June 2025, audiences worldwide paused after hearing the tragic news of David Hekili Kenui Bell’s passing. Known affectionately as the “Big Hawaiian Dude” in Disney’s live‑action Lilo & Stitch, David’s infectious warmth and aloha spirit captured hearts.
His breakthrough in the high‑profile adaptation quickly propelled him into the spotlight, earning heartfelt tributes from family and fans. While the cause remains undisclosed, his sudden death at 57 reverberates strongly in Hollywood and Hawaii.
David Hekili Kenui Bell’s Cause of Death
David Hekili Kenui Bell passed away on June 15, 2025, the same day he would have celebrated his 57th birthday. The news was confirmed by his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, who posted an emotional tribute on Facebook, honoring her “funny, brilliant, and handsome” older brother and revealing the heartbreaking timing of his passing. His death occurred just two weeks after he proudly celebrated his appearance in the Lilo & Stitch live-action premiere with loved ones in Kapolei.
The cause of David Bell’s death has not been made public. No official statement from his family or medical sources has clarified the reason for his passing, and no reports have surfaced from reliable media outlets with confirmed information. This has led to some speculation online, but out of respect for his family’s privacy, most tributes have focused on his life and legacy rather than unconfirmed assumptions.
Jalene’s tribute instead celebrated his memory and the joy he brought to others, writing that “he is now in the company of our Heavenly Father.” Her heartfelt words emphasized remembrance over details, which many found comforting.
His passing has sparked a wave of tributes online, especially among Hawaiian communities and fans of the Lilo & Stitch adaptation, who praised his warmth and authenticity.
His death was reported by several outlets, including People Magazine and KHOU, confirming the date but respecting the family’s decision to withhold the cause.
David Hekili Kenui Bell's Early Life, Family Background & Education
David Hekili Kenui Bell was born on June 15, 1968 (age 57) on Hawaiʻi Island. Standing tall at 6'2" and weighing around 220 lbs, he carried a presence as grand as his heart. His mixed heritage blended Native Hawaiian roots with Asian‑Pacific lineage, molding a powerful sense of identity and cultural pride.
Raised by his mother alongside his younger sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, David experienced a childhood shaped by resilience—his father was absent, leaving him to step into a caregiver role even as a youth. Jalene later revealed in a tribute the moment they met when she graduated high school at 18—a soul‑shifting surprise that marked a lifelong bond.
David grew up in Waimea, attending Punahou School and Kalani High School, where he cultivated interests in storytelling and languages, carrying forward Hawaiian traditions through cultural immersion and pidgin, an effort similar to Socorro Castellanos' on preserving cultural roots, who also champions Indigenous heritage in modern storytelling.
While family trusted him deeply, few details are public about post‑secondary education; what’s known is that his love for his homeland and heritage shaped everything he did.
David Hekili Kenui Bell’s Career Journey: From Beginnings to Fame
Up until 2025, David Bell quietly built a portfolio rooted in local pride. Before his Disney breakthrough, he appeared in small television roles—playing Isaac on Hawaii Five‑0 in 2014, sharing the screen with other notable local actors like Devin Harjes from Hawaii Five-0 and Manu Salani in Magnum P.I. around 2018–19. These early appearances honed his craft and earned him respect in Hawaiian acting circles.
In 2025, his career crescendoed with his Disney debut, in which he portrayed a memorable character in Lilo & Stitch, appearing alongside Maia Kealoha’s role in Lilo & Stitch (2025), who played the lead.
Beyond his role, David embraced voiceover work at Kona Airport, welcoming travelers with his signature warmth. It was more than a job; it was his aloha in action.
Despite a modest screen presence, David’s character created an outsized impact—moviegoers loved him, local press praised his authenticity, and his sister recalled how he celebrated opening night with the entire family in Kapolei just two weeks before his sudden death.
David Hekili Kenui Bell's Personal Life & Relationships
David maintained a private personal life. He was unmarried, with no known partners or children, choosing to share his energy instead through family bonds and his professional community.
His closest relationship was with his sister Jalene. In her Facebook tribute, she described David as “funny, brilliant and handsome,” and now spending time “in the company of our Heavenly Father.” Their closeness—tying genetics, ancestry, seltzers, and genealogy—defined his private world.
Net Worth, Income Sources & Lifestyle in 2025
As a working actor in Hawaii, David’s net worth was modest, likely in the six‑figure range, derived from acting, voiceover work, and occasional commercial gigs, such as local advertising for Kona Brewing.
He embodied a humble lifestyle—with a home in Waimea, a role at Kona Airport PA, and a taste for shave ice and family outings. His big premiere screening and small personal anecdotes—like the late-night shave‑ice rerun with his grandson—reveal a man of substance, not flash.
His generosity left a legacy of aloha that went beyond finances; he became a local hero, an ambassador for Hawaiian hospitality.
TL;DR Summary
David Hekili Kenui Bell, a gentle giant from Hawaiʻi, found his moment in the spotlight through Disney's Lilo & Stitch. Celebrated for his authenticity and aloha spirit, his career spanned TV, film, and voiceover work. Loved by his family—especially his sister Jalene—he embodied humility, cultural pride, and kindness. His sudden death at 57 has left a community grieving and remembering his brightness.
Frequently Asked Questions About David Bell
Who was David Hekili Kenui Bell?
A Hawaiian actor and voice artist best known for his role as "Big Hawaiian Dude" in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch. He also appeared in Hawaii Five‑0 and Magnum P.I.
When and how did he die?
David passed away on June 15, 2025, at age 57. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
What projects was he involved in?
He was part of various Hawaiian TV roles, airport voiceover work at Kona Airport, commercials (such as Kona Brewing), and made a joyful, breakthrough appearance in a major Disney film.
Did he have a family?
He is survived by his younger sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, with whom he shared a deep sibling bond. He remained unmarried, with no known public partner or children.
What was his net worth?
Although exact figures are not public, industry estimates place his net worth around the lower six figures, earned from acting roles, voiceover gigs, and local endorsements.