Latest news with #HawaiianDude
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
David Hekili Kenui Bell dead: Lilo and Stitch star dies weeks after big screen debut as heartbroken family pays tribute
A LILO and Stitch star has died just weeks after his big screen debut with heartbroken tributes pouring in. Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell sadly passed away with his sister Jalene Kanani Bell, announcing the shocking news in a heartbreaking post on Facebook . Advertisement 4 Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell has died 4 He starred in Lilo and Stitch recently 4 The actor's sister announced his sudden passing Credit: Facebook She said: "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. 'He was and will remain a bright and shining star. "He recently made it on to the big screen with an iconic Lilo & Stitch moment.' Advertisement Bell was credited in the Lilo & Stitch live-action adaptation as the character 'Big Hawaiian Dude.' His cause of death has not yet been revealed. But his sister revealed that Bell treated the family to a screening of the live-action show after its release just weeks ago. She added: "He planned ahead and purchased the best seats in the house for us all to go together to opening night in Kapolei just two short weeks ago. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity 'Hug your loved ones today…our last time together after returning home from the movie was just sitting on my living room couch talking story about life, having a seltzer and doing a little genealogy. 'Blessed by this and all the big and small moments. Inside brand new Lilo and Stitch cafe in Scots store 'I will keep our memories alive.' The actor's representative, Lashauna Downie, Advertisement She called Bell a 'gentle giant' and called his passing both 'heartbreaking' and 'sad.' 'I am learning like you through social media,' Downie told the outlet. 'This is heartbreaking & sad. "He was one of my best talent & embodied the true meaning of aloha…a gentle giant.' Proud Hawaiian Bell was known locally for his voice work over the P.A. system at Kona Airport. Advertisement Bell previously starred in TV shows such as Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-0. Tributes from fans have poured in on social media since Bell's passing. Read more on the Irish Sun One wrote: "So sad! What a loss for his family, friends and fans." Another said: "RIP young star." Advertisement 4 Bell's cause of death has not yet been revealed Credit: Facebook
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Lilo + Stitch star dies aged 57
Lilo + Stitch star David H. K. Bell has died aged 57. The actor, who played Big Hawaiian Dude in the 2025 live-action remake of the movie, has passed away, his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, confirmed on Sunday (15.06.25). She wrote on her Facebook account: "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. I met my little brother at the age of 18, on my high school graduation day, it was the most amazing surprise which I had been asking for for years, that our mom's made happen for us, and that gift has lasted a lifetime. While I didn't grow up with a Father, David gave me all the unconditional love I could possibly ask for and I believe that all his family and friends received the same from him. He was always so proud of me, his nieces and his grandnephew, constantly engaged and always coming up with fun activities to get-together. We looked forward to going to Tatihi and the Lindsey reunion together to create more family connections. (sic)" Jalene also told how just two weeks ago, David bought the "best seats in the house" for his family to watch him in Lilo + Stitch at the cinema. She added: "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. He went to Punahou and Kalani while our dad spoke Hawaiian so his ability to deliver lines with English understanding, Indigenous knowledge and Pidgen to da Max…made him a diamond in the rough You can hear him over the PA system on arrival at Kona Airport where he loved working to create an awesome and safe customer experience. He was and will remain a bright and shining star. He recently made it on to the big screen with an iconic Lilo Stich momment. He planned ahead and purchased the best seats in the house for us all to go together to opening night in Kapolei just two short weeks ago. That's one trait we didn't share, planning ahead:) 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. I said we should get shave ice after the movie and reenact the sceen but then realized the store was already closed. To celebrate him and try to ease our grief we went to get shave ice and my grandson's emotion was on point. To Aunty Gerry and the Kenui 'Ohana you raised an amazing human who became the most loving and supportive man in my life and I am eternally grateful. I share this grief with our older sister Kehau Bell, and my younger sister, Lara Leimana, who while not a Bell, loved and adored him as her own. He enjoyed social media and I'll be resharing some of my favorite post he made, and some I am just seeing for the first time that I missed, because they are so funny and heartwarming. Hug your loved ones last time together after returning home from the movie was just sitting on my living room couch talking story about life, having a seltzer and doing a little genealogy. Blessed by this and all the big and small moments, I will keep our memories alive (sic)"
Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Lilo & Stitch' actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies weeks after film release
David Hekili Kenui Bell, a Hawaiian actor known for his role in Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, has died just weeks after the film's release. His sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Sunday. No cause of death was provided. Bell played the role of 'Big Hawaiian Dude' in Lilo & Stitch, which premiered in May 2025. According to his sister, Bell had bought opening night tickets for his family in Kapolei just two weeks before his passing. Bell also appeared in several Hawaii-based TV series, including Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-0. He played Manu Salani in two episodes of Magnum P.I. between 2018 and 2019 and portrayed Isaac in a 2014 episode of Hawaii Five-0, as noted on his IMDb page. Beyond acting, Bell was known in the community for his voice work over the public address system at Kona Airport and as a brand ambassador for Kona Brewing Company. His agent, Lashauna Downie, told TMZ she learned about his death through social media and described Bell as a "gentle giant" who embodied the spirit of aloha. Jalene Bell highlighted his linguistic talents, noting his fluency in English, Hawaiian, and Hawaiian Pidgin. She also shared a personal memory of meeting Bell for the first time on her high school graduation day, calling him 'a diamond in the rough' and a source of unconditional love. Bell's passing marks a tragic loss for both the Hawaiian community and fans of Disney's beloved remake.
