You might not know the name David Hekili Kenui Bell immediately, but if you’ve seen the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch, you definitely know his face. He’s the guy. The "Big Hawaiian Dude" who loses his shave ice. It’s a small moment, honestly. Just a few seconds of screen time where an alien encounter ruins a perfectly good dessert. But for the people of Hawaiʻi and those who knew him, David was anything but a bit player.
He was 46. Or 57, depending on which news report you catch, though most family accounts lean toward the younger end of that scale. Regardless of the number, his passing in June 2025—just weeks after his big Disney moment—hit the local community like a ton of bricks. It wasn’t just about a career cut short. It was about losing a man who literally voiced the spirit of the islands.
🔗 Read more: Why Virgin River Still Captivates Us (And What to Expect Next)
Beyond the "Big Hawaiian Dude"
Most people see a guy his size—6'5" and nearly 500 pounds—and they pigeonhole him. Hollywood certainly tried. But David Hekili Kenui Bell was nuanced. He wasn't just "the muscle" or a background extra. His sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, talks about his ability to dance between English, Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge, and Pidgin. He was a "diamond in the rough" who could deliver lines with a specific cultural weight that most mainland actors couldn't touch.
Before the Disney remake, you might have spotted him in the reboots of Hawaii Five-0 or Magnum P.I. He played Manu Saluni in Magnum and Isaac in Five-0. He was a working actor. A grinder. The kind of guy who showed up, did the work, and made everyone on set feel like they were part of the ʻohana.
- Magnum P.I. (2018-2019): Two episodes as Manu Saluni.
- Hawaii Five-0 (2014): One episode as Isaac.
- Kona Brewing Co.: The face of their "One Life, Right?" campaign.
That Kona Brewing gig? It wasn't just a paycheck. It won a 2025 Pele Award. If you live in the islands, you saw his face everywhere. He represented a lifestyle that wasn't manufactured for tourists. It was real.
The Kona Airport Connection
Here is something most people don't realize about David Hekili Kenui Bell: he had a day job. A serious one. He was the Assistant Airport Superintendent at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
Think about that.
He’s filming scenes with Disney budgets, then heading back to ensure flight operations and customer safety are running smoothly. His sister mentioned that travelers could often hear his voice booming over the PA system. He took pride in it. He wasn't some "actor who also works at the airport." He was a pillar of the Kona community who happened to be a gifted performer.
It’s easy to romanticize the life of an actor, but David’s reality was grounded. He was a constant companion to his mother, Geraldine. He loved heading to Maui for kanikapila—informal music jam sessions. He was a football fan who lived for Super Bowl Sunday. Basically, he was a guy who loved his life and didn't need the bright lights of Los Angeles to validate him.
What Really Happened with the Lilo & Stitch Premiere
The timing of his death is what makes the story so heavy. Two weeks before he passed, David bought tickets for his whole family to see Lilo & Stitch on opening night in Kapolei. They sat in the "best seats in the house."
He got to see himself on the big screen. He got to see the fans in their onesies and hats. He got to feel the energy of a project he contributed to. There’s something poetic about that, even if it’s incredibly sad. His sister even joked about going to get shave ice after the movie to reenact his scene, only to find the shop closed.
💡 You might also like: Claws TV show cast: Why Desna’s crew still matters in 2026
They eventually got that shave ice later to honor him. It's those little details that break your heart, you know?
Why He Still Matters in 2026
We’re sitting here in 2026, and his final project is finally making its way to the public. He’s in the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film The Wrecking Crew, starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. He finished his work on it before he died.
Seeing him on screen now is bittersweet. It’s a reminder of what the industry lost—a performer who embodied "Aloha" without it being a marketing slogan. His agent, Lashauna Downie, called him a "gentle giant," which sounds like a cliché until you hear everyone else say the exact same thing.
There’s a lesson in David’s career for anyone trying to "make it." He didn't wait for a leading role to be a leader. He influenced people at the airport, in 30-second beer commercials, and in small TV guest spots. He was a tenor who played the ukulele and loved his family.
Next steps for fans and creators:
If you want to honor the legacy of David Hekili Kenui Bell, start by supporting local Hawaiian talent and productions that prioritize authentic Indigenous representation. Watch his scenes in Lilo & Stitch not just for the laugh, but to appreciate the man who brought a piece of real Hawaiʻi to a global stage. Keep an eye out for his appearance in The Wrecking Crew later this year; it’s one last chance to see a local legend do what he loved.