David Hekili Kenui Bell

David Hekili Kenui Bell, an actor who appears in the new film "Lilo & Stitch," died June 12, 2025, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii at the age of 46.

Bell first drew wider attention when the "Lilo & Stitch" trailer was released, his brief appearance as Big Hawaiian Dude – who drops his shave ice when he sees aliens – spotlighting him as an up-and-coming character actor. However, the film was not Bell's first work. He also had appearances in the modern reboots of "Hawaii Five-O" and "Magnum P.I.," did voiceover work, and was embraced by craft beer fans as a brand ambassador for Kona Brewing Company.

In 2014, he was featured as one of the "Braddahs" in Kona Brewing Company's series of "One Life, Right?" beer commercials, later serving as a brand ambassador. Bell was also the voice of the Kona International Airport's public address system.

"David loved being an actor, doing voiceovers, spending time with Brutus traveling as an ambassador for Kona Brew," his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, said on Facebook. "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."

By Eric San Juan

(Image: @hekili97 via Instagram)