David Hekilli Kenui Bell has pᴀssed away at the age of 57. The actor recently appeared in the 2025 live-action remake of Lilo & Sтιтch, where he played the beloved Shave Ice Man, a character who drops his shave ice every time he makes an appearance. Before making it to the big screen, he appeared in two episodes of Magnum P.I. as Manu Saluni and one episode of Hawaii Five-0 as Isaac. Bell can next be seen in the upcoming action comedy, The Wrecking Crew, a movie currently in post-production.
David H.K. Bell’s sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, announced his pᴀssing on Facebook. In the heartfelt post, she wrote that, “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 offered some insight into David’s life as an actor who’s pᴀssionate about the entertainment industry and his life outside acting, sharing how excited about playing the Shave Ice Man in the new Disney movie.
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David H.K. Bell’s Legacy Explained
Lilo & Sтιтch Was David H.K. Bell’s Biggest Gig
Bell was a Kaimuki native who resided in Waimea, Hawaii, before his death. He went to Kalani High School and worked as an AOC supervisor and ᴀssistant Airport Superintendent at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport in Keahole. In his sister’s Facebook post, she remembered David as the voice to welcome travelers “over the PA system on arrival.” She also described David as someone who loved creating “an awesome and safe customer experience” and “a diamond in the rough” to bridge the gap between the Hawaiian language and English.
David’s biggest on-screen credit is starring as the Shave Ice Man in Lilo & Sтιтch‘s cast, where he helped bring the iconic character from the 2002 animated movie to life in the live-action version. While his IMDb page only tags him in three other projects, his sister has shared that he was a member of SAG-AFTRA, he also loved doing voiceovers, and has traveled as an ambᴀssador for Kona Brew.
Our Take On David H.K. Bell’s Legacy
David H.K. Bell Was The Beloved Shave Ice Man And More
David Hekilli Kenui Bell will always be cherished by Lilo & Sтιтch fans as the beloved Shave Ice Man, whose iconic moment remains in the highly rated Disney remake, which has already made more than $850 million at the box office. Bell was part of the success, and even though the movie marked a career highlight for him, he will also be remembered for the lives he touched through the various jobs he held.
Bell was a humble actor and the perfect Shave Ice Man. His Maui comparison post also sparked lookalike comments online. The actor took pride in his work, having added the “Shave Ice Man” to his Instagram profile. His role in the highly rated Lilo & Sтιтch not only meant a lot to Disney fans, but also to the actor.
Source: Jalene Kanani Bell/Facebook
