David Hekili Kenui Bell, beloved actor from Lilo & Stitch live-action film, dies unexpectedly
— Lilo & Stitch News (@LiloStitchLA) June 16, 2025 Rising star David Bell passes away
Bell brought charm, humour and depth to every role he played, including his recent portrayal of the 'Big Hawaiian Dude' in Lilo & Stitch, where his character memorably drops his shaved ice dessert at the sight of an alien portal. Known for his voice acting, love for the performing arts, and deep connection to Hawaiian culture, Bell was cherished both on and off screen.
I'm saddened by the news that David Hekili Kenui Bell has passed away. I never had the privilege of meeting him in person but we talked in DM's. He was so excited for his breakout role as the "Shave Ice Guy" in Lilo and Stitch. You will be missed greatly. Rest in Heaven. pic.twitter.com/3QFrAAvX7v — Reel News Hawaii (@reelnewshawaii) June 16, 2025
His sister described him as a vibrant soul who was not only brilliant and funny, but deeply generous. She said that David's ability to deliver lines using a combination of English, Pidgin, and Indigenous understanding made him truly unique in the industry. His voice can even be heard over the public announcement system at Kona Airport, where he worked and created a welcoming environment for travellers. Passion for Hawaii, acting and the arts
Originally from Kaimuki, Bell attended both Punahou School and Kalani High School. Before his death, he was living in Waimea and served as the assistant airport superintendent at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. Despite his position in aviation, acting remained his true passion.
David Hekili Kenui Bell | Credit: X
He was a proud Screen Actors Guild member and had recently shared his excitement about Lilo & Stitch on social media, expressing gratitude to the local Hawaiian crew and the cast. He called them 'the true stars,' and felt honoured to attend the cast and crew screening. A legacy that lives on
David Hekili Kenui Bell leaves behind a legacy of laughter, authenticity, and pride in his roots. His sudden passing has left a void in the Hawaiian entertainment community and among his many admirers. He will be remembered not only for his talent but also for his dedication to elevating local voices and culture in global cinema. First Published: Jun 17, 2025, 09:42 IST
I am your go-to girl for all things entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle. With three years of experience, I have got an eye for spotting trends that'll leave you craving for more. Whether it's the latest in fashion or the hottest celebrity gossip, I am is always on top of what's next—and ready to spill all the tea in the most fun way possible. Keep following for more fun stuff! Read More
17/6/2025 9:47:31
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Literature Across Borders
Published in the wake of the International Booker Prize win for Heart Lamp by Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi, this special digital edition from The Hindu explores how Indian literature travels across languages—and what gets transformed along the way. In a country where language is identity, culture, and memory, translation is not just a literary act; it is a bridge. This collection brings together some of the most insightful voices in the field: writers, translators, publishers, and scholars reflecting on the art, politics, and emotion behind Indian writing in English translation. What's Inside Explore 11 essays and interviews that decode the invisible yet powerful force of translation in Indian literature: · Lost and found in translation By Urvashi Butalia · Discovering the world of Kannada in English By N.S. Gundur · I made it a point to translate with an accent Interview with Deepa Bhasthi by Preeti Zachariah · How Perumal Murugan broke the glass ceiling By Kannan Sundaram · Cross-cultural currents and literary inventions in Malayalam literature By Navamy Sudhish · From 'anuvad' or translation to 'samvad' and dialogue By Anuj Kumar · Two-way bridge: The Journey of Marathi literature By Prathmesh Kher · Stories from unheard corners of the Northeast By Sudipta Datta · The art of assembling a glossary By Mini Krishnan · Catching the nuances of original texts By Ramya Kannan · The anxieties of the Indian translator By Arunava Sinha Each chapter offers a unique perspective, revealing how translation shapes what we read, how we understand it, and who gets heard. Literature Across Borders is available free for all digital subscribers of The Hindu Group. Non-subscribers can also purchase the e-book on Amazon To download a sample of the e-book : To buy the e-book from Amazon: To download the PDF version for the book, subscribe here:
News18
23 minutes ago
- News18
Meet These AI Travel Influencers Who Are Leading The Digital Travel Revolution
Last Updated: Best AI Travel Influencers: A new wave of AI travel influencers have entered the digital world. These creators are blurring the lines between the real and the virtual world. AI Travel Influencers: Think travel influencers are all plane tickets and passport stamps? Think again. With AI taking over the world, AI-powered personalities are the new rage. These AI travel influencers are planning dream itineraries, dropping destination inspo, and redefining what it means to continuously explore the world. From hyper-personalised guides to virtual globetrotting glam, these AI travel influencers are blurring the lines between tech and wanderlust. Here are some AI travel influencers who are changing the way we see (and scroll through) the world and the travel space. Radhika Subramanium India's first bilingual (Tamil and English) AI travel influencer, Radhika Subramaniam, made her debut in June 2025, created by Collective Artists Network. Designed as a solo Gen Z traveller who quit her stable job to journey across India, Radhika represents the current generation of explorers. Explaining the vision behind her, Vijay Subramaniam, Founder and Group CEO of Collective Artists Network, told The Economic Times, 'Radhika feels like someone we all know, that one friend who took the leap and actually went on the trip. She's thoughtful, independent, and interested in the world around her. With her, we wanted to build more than just a new kind of influencer – we wanted to create someone who could tell stories with heart and make people feel seen." Kyra Launched by FUTR Studios in 2022, Kyra holds the title of India's first AI meta influencer. With over 250K followers on Instagram, her feed is a curated mix of fashion-forward travel, yoga sessions by the beach, and snapshots at iconic heritage sites. She even made an appearance on Shark Tank India. 'Living" in Mumbai, Kyra blurs the lines between virtual and reality with a lifestyle that's as aspirational as it is algorithmically crafted. Thalasya View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thalasya Pov (@thalasya_) An early pioneer in the AI influencer space, Thalasya has been capturing imaginations since 2018. With over 500K followers on Instagram, she blends travel and lifestyle content with her virtual best friend, Zeline. Her feed is a vibrant mix of wanderlust and style, proving that virtual creators can build real-world influence. Emma top videos View all Created by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) in 2023, Emma is a multilingual virtual ambassador on a mission to showcase Germany to the world. She 'travels" across the country, shares travel tips on Instagram, and engages with users through chatbot features in over 20 languages. As per the official press release, 'Emma's persona is a modern, cosmopolitan Berlin resident who feels at home in the digital world. In her mid-30s and with an affinity for technology and travel, she combines her love of new technologies with her passion for travelling through Germany." The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : ai influencer lifestyle travel Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: June 16, 2025, 15:43 IST News lifestyle » travel Meet These AI Travel Influencers Who Are Leading The Digital Travel Revolution
Hans India
34 minutes ago
- Hans India
Diljit Dosanjh's quirky English commentary from the sets of 'Border 2'
Mumbai: After wrapping up the work on "Sardar Ji 3", Diljit Dosanjh has now joined the cast of "Border 2" for their third schedule of the film in Pune's National Defence Academy. Giving a fun sneak peek into the shoot diaries, the Punjabi singer and actor dropped a BTS video from the set on his official IG. The highlight of the post was Diljit's quirky English commentary. The video opened with Diljit getting into the car and heading toward the set of the sequel. However, it was raining heavily on the way. Reacting to this, Diljit was heard saying, "It is very witty weather, it is drizzling." Finally, as he reached the set, he said, "Sandese ate hain aur sandese jate ahain aur hum bhi aa gaye hain set pe." Chilling on the set, Diljit was heard saying, "Because of witty weather shooting is delayed. Me enjoying the weather." After relaxing for some time, the 'Good Newwz' actor met the team of "Border 2". "All the cast, producers, and the director all joined together in one place, let's go", Diljit shared. He was later seen hugging co-star Varun Dhawan and shaking hands with Sunny Deol. They all even posed for a group photo, which was later used by Sunny to announce the latest schedule of the sequel on social media. Sunny took to his Instagram handle and dropped a picture with Diljit, Varun, and Ahan Shetty, along with filmmakers Nidhi Dutta and Bhushan Kumar. 'When all 'Forces' Come together! #BORDER2. Diljit Dosanjh & Ahan Shetty join Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan as the battalion kicks off the 3rd schedule at Pune's National Defence Academy!" the caption read. Sunny added, 'On-ground, they're joined by Producers Bhushan Kumar & Nidhi Dutta, Director Anurag Singh, Co-producers Shiv Chanana and Binoy Gandhi, as the film moves full throttle! Mark your calendars: Border2 hits theaters on Jan 23, 2026!' Presented by Gulshan Kumar's T-Series, and JP Dutta's J.P. Films, "Border 2" is expected to get a theatrical release on January 23, 2026.
