Latest news with #JaleneKananiBell
CNA
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Lilo & Stitch actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies aged 46
Lilo & Stitch actor, David Hekilli Kenui Bell, has died aged 46. He played Big Hawaiian Dude in the 2025 live-action remake of the movie. His sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, confirmed the death on Sunday (Jun 15). 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." Bell also shared how her brother "loved being an actor" and "doing voiceovers" and how "the film industry and entertainment was so exciting to him". She added: "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 moment." Bell said her brother bought "the best seats in the house" for his family to watch the movie at the cinema "just two short weeks ago". "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 (sic)," she added. She ended the post with a poignant reminder: "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."
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
New details emerge in death of Lilo & Stitch's David Hekili Kenui Bell at 46
Authorities have ruled out foul play in the death of actor David Hekili Kenui Bell at age 46. On Tuesday, police in Hawaii confirmed to TMZ that the investigation is ongoing. Earlier this week news broke that the star, best known for appearing in Disney's Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, died on June 12 at 2:26 p.m. At this time, the cause of death has not been released, and the coroner's report and autopsy have yet to be completed. His death comes just weeks after he made his big screen debut in Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch film, which was released on May 23. In a statement obtained by Bell's rep confirmed his death as she described him as a an extraordinary talent and a deeply cherished member of our BLISS ʻOhana (family).' 'David brought light, kindness, and a beautiful spirit to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives he touched,' she wrote. 'We extend our deepest sympathies to his ʻohana during this incredibly difficult time and are honoring their privacy as they grieve.' She concluded her statement by writing: 'Rest in love, dear David. Your legacy and aloha spirit will live on in the hearts of all of us. A hui hou — until we meet again.' David's sister Jalene Kanani Bell revealed the loss with a 'heavy heart' in a statement posted to her Facebook account on Sunday. 'We have launched a coroner's inquest investigation (as is standard practice) and an autopsy is being scheduled to determine the exact cause of death,' a police spokesperson told the publication. 'The investigation is ongoing at this time. No foul play is suspected.' David's family confirmed the death with TMZ, while his rep Lashauna Downie told the outlet: 'I am learning like you through social media. This is heartbreaking & sad. He was one of my best talent & embodied the true meaning of aloha … a gentle giant.' '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,' Jalene's post began. '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. '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 scene 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. His sister paid a heartbreaking tribute to the actor '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.' Maia Kealoha, who portrayed Lilo, and her mother, Brittney Kealoha, also paid tribute to her late costar on Instagram. 'Eh Uncle David, save some shave ice for me too k?! Maia is surely going to miss telling you that. Rest in love @hekili97,' they wrote in a joint post. 'In Hawai'i calling someone uncle, auntie, tutu (grandma) etc. when they are not blood related is a sign of respect. David was that to Maia, he was just like one of her uncles and treated her like his own ohana.' They concluded: 'David I'm so proud of you and happy for all that you accomplished in this life. You definitely made your mark around the world. A hui hou friend, love the Kealoha ohana.' Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, who is best known for her role as Nani Pelekai in Lilo & Stitch, called their former costar 'a beautiful, bright, and kind soul' in her tribute. 'Thank you for your love & endless support. It was a pleasure to work with you and to have crossed paths on Lilo & Stitch. I wish we had more time with you here,' she continued. 'I hope you're at peace smiling down and my heart is with your friends and family. In addition to his role on Lilo & Stitch, David has also made appearances in Magnum P.I. and Hawaii Five-O. According to his IMDb, he is set to appear in another film as well - The Wrecking Crew, which is currently in post-production. David's last Instagram post was on May 30. He shared an interview with the team behind Kona Brewing's campaign, which won the Pele Award for Best In Show for Advertising. David, an ambassador for the brand, raved in the caption: '2025 Pele Awards Overall Winner! #KonaBrewingHawaii #NMG #NellaMediaGroup.' The actor, who played 'Big Hawaiian Dude' in Lilo & Stitch, had been keeping fans up-to-date on the film on his social media. Last month he shared video of his audition, which saw him humorously failing to eat a fake snow cone. 'My audition had some special effects,' he captioned the post. 'I'm pretty sure that's what did it... Also some random stuff... #LiloAndStitch #Stitch #Disney.'
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Lilo & Stitch 'and 'Hawaii Five-O' actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 57
Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell, best known for his appearances in the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch and Hawaii Five-O has died, his sister announced on Facebook. He was 57. "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," Jalene Kanani Bell posted Sunday. "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." David H.K. Bell had accumulated a handful of credits, including having played an unnamed character in last month's hit Lilo & Stitch, as well as Issac on a 2014 episode of the Hawaii Five-O reboot, and Manu Saluni on two episodes of the Magnum P.I. reboot in 2018 and 2019. He was set to appear in the upcoming project The Wrecking Crew, alongside Jason Momoa and Morena Baccarin, according to IMDb. The sister noted that his voice is the one used at Kona International Airport, where he "loved working to create an awesome and safe customer experience." She added, "He was and will remain a bright and shining star." She recalled having celebrated his Disney debut with him just last month. "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," she wrote. "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." Disney's live-action take on its 2002 film Lilo & Stitch was a big hit at the box office, where it took first place for three weeks in a row. It came in at No. 2 over the weekend, having earned an incredible $858.3 million at the global box office so far. Jalene Kanani Bell did not explain her brother's cause of death, but she did delve into their strong connection. "I met my little brother at the age of 18, on my high school graduation day," she wrote, "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." Bell noted that her brother "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." Entertainment Weekly has reached out to the late actor's rep. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
'Lilo & Stitch' actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 46
"Lilo & Stitch" actor David Hekili Kenui Bell has died, according to a Facebook post from his sister Jalene Kanani Bell. Bell was 46 years old. "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," Jalene Kanani Bell wrote in the post, which was shared Sunday. "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." The Hawai'i Police Department confirmed in a statement to People on Monday that Bell died June 12. "We have launched a coroner's inquest investigation (as is standard practice) and an autopsy is being scheduled to determine the exact cause of death," a police spokesperson said, according to People. "The investigation is ongoing at this time. No foul play is suspected." Bell's representative Lashauna Downie also told People in a statement, "I am learning like you through social media. This is heartbreaking & sad, if true." "He was one of my best talent & embodied the true meaning of aloha…a gentle giant," Downie added. Bell most recently appeared as "Big Hawaiian Dude" in the new live-action "Lilo & Stitch" movie, where he made a lasting impression as the man holding a shave ice near the end of the movie trailer. He was also a guest on the shows "Hawaii Five-0" and "Magnum P.I." "David loved being an actor, doing voiceovers," his sister wrote in her Facebook post Sunday, adding, "The film industry and entertainment was so exciting to him and I loved that he enjoyed the arts." Describing him as "a diamond in the rough" and "a bright and shining star," she said her brother "recently made it on to the big screen with an iconic Lilo & Stich [moment]." "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," she wrote. "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." "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," she added. "Blessed by this and all the big and small moments, I will keep our memories alive."
Al Bawaba
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
David H.K. Bell, 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'Hawaii Five-O' actor, dies at 57
ALBAWABA - Actor David H.K. Bell dies at 57, sister confirms online. On Facebook, his sister revealed the death of actor David Hekili Kenui Bell, who was most recognized for his roles in Hawaii Five-O and the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch. He was 57. "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," Jalene Kanani Bell wrote on Sunday. "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." A few of David H.K. Bell's credentials include playing an unnamed character in the popular Lilo & Stitch last month, Isaac in a 2014 episode of the Hawaii Five-O remake, and Manu Saluni in two 2018 and 2019 episodes of the Magnum P.I. revival. According to IMDb, he was scheduled to feature with Jason Momoa and Morena Baccarin in the upcoming film The Wrecking Crew. According to the sister, David H.K. Bell "loved working to create an awesome and safe customer experience" at Kona International Airport, where his voice is used. She continued, "He was and will remain a bright and shining star." She remembered that only a month before, she had joined him in celebrating his Disney debut. "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," she stated. "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, onesies, hats, masks, and the merch galore flying off the shelf as we stood in line for popcorn." At the box office, Disney's live-action adaptation of their 2002 movie Lilo & Stitch was a huge blockbuster, holding the top spot for three consecutive weeks. After earning an astounding $858.3 million at the global box office thus far, it finished the weekend at No. 2. hekili97 Instagram profile Jalene Kanani Bell explored their close bond but did not disclose her brother's cause of death. "I met my little brother at the age of 18, on my high school graduation day," she wrote. "It was the most amazing surprise, which I had been asking for for years, that our mom made happen for us, and that gift has lasted a lifetime. David provided me all the unwavering love I could ever want, even though I didn't have a father figure growing up. I think he did the same for all of his family members and friends. As an ambassador for Kona Brew, Bell mentioned that her brother "loved being an actor, doing voiceovers, and spending time with Brutus." I loved that he loved the arts, and he found the entertainment and film industries to be quite interesting. His ability to deliver lines with a comprehension of English, Indigenous wisdom, and Pidgin to the max made him a diamond in the rough. He went to Punahou and Kalani, while our dad spoke Hawaiian.
