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‘Lilo and Stitch’ actor David Hekili Kenui Bell passes away at 46

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E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

Lilo &amp; Stitch actor David Hekili Kenui Bell has passed away at 46 years old. David appeared in the live-action adaptation of the film as the &quot;Big Hawaiian Dude.&quot;The cause of death has not been made public.His sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, shared the heartbreaking news on social media.&quot;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,&quot; she wrote. &quot;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.&quot;Jalene recalled first meeting her brother when she was 18, calling it the greatest surprise gift. &quot;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 [moms] made happen for us, and that gift has lasted a lifetime❤️.&quot;<div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLA9phaJ4U-/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A10303855.200000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>She fondly described David as a loving and devoted brother. &quot;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,&quot; she shared.David&#x27;s passion for the arts and the entertainment industry was another highlight of his life. Jalene relayed: &quot;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,&quot; she remarked.&quot;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 &amp; Stitch moment 🍧. &quot;Just weeks before his passing, David brought their family together to watch the premiere of Lilo &amp; Stitch in Kapolei.  &quot;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&amp;S gear head to toe, t-shirts, onesies, hats, mask, and the merch galore flying off the shelf as we stood in line for pop-corn.&quot;Jalene concluded her tribute with a heartfelt reminder: &quot;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, I will keep our memories alive.&quot;

David Hekili Kenui Bell's sister penned a heartfelt post on social media following his passing.

David Hekili Kenui Bell's sister penned a heartfelt post on social media following his passing.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ actor David Hekili Kenui Bell passes away at 46

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‘Lilo & Stitch’ actor David Hekili Kenui Bell passes away at 46

Toff C.,

Push Team

Published June 19, 2025 07:28 PM PHT

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Updated June 19, 2025 07:41 PM PHT

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