David H.K. Bell, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and ‘Hawaii Five-O’ actor, dies at 57

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.

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.