David Hekili Kenui Bell — yes, THE shave ice guy from the new live-action Lilo & Stitch — has tragically passed away… literally just weeks after making us scream “OMG IT’S HIM” in theaters.
The news was confirmed by his sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, who broke all our hearts in one Facebook post. She called David her “sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant and handsome little brother” — and honestly? Same. That man had “main character energy” even with like, five lines and a snow cone.
Jalene reminisced about how they all went to the movie’s premiere in Kapolei, front row seats and everything. And get this — David actually planned the whole thing like a Disney prince with a calendar app. The crowd? Decked out in Lilo & Stitch drip: shirts, onesies, hats, face masks, maybe even some Stitch thongs. Who knows. The merch was selling faster than you could say “ohana means family.”
So yeah, they had a moment. And now he’s gone. 😭
No official cause of death yet — mysterious and tragic, like a Disney+ cliffhanger. His rep, Lashauna Downie, told IconicHipster.com she found out through social media (we hate that for her) and called David “a gentle giant” who embodied aloha vibes in human form.
So, from us to David: thank you for the shave ice. Thank you for the joy. Thank you for that one iconic moment that made us cry over a blue alien and a snow cone in the same movie.
Rest in rainbow-colored syrupy peace, legend. 🌈🍧✨
#GoneTooSoon #ShaveIceForever #LiloAndStitchAngel