84, better known as the "Belle of Honolulu," passed away peacefully at her home in Hawaii Kai surrounded by her loving family on October 15, 2021. One of eight children Alma was born on June 20, 1937 in Honolulu to Henry Lew and Annie Cooper. Ohana and hula was her life. Everything about hula made her happy and afforded her opportunities to travel the world dancing hula professionally. She was able to enrich so many lives, through dancing at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room, the Waikiki Biltmore, Queens Surf, Hawaii Calls, and with Kent Ghirard's Hula Nani's. She was the first hula teacher in Hawaii Kai, opened Kanani's Hula Studio, and she also taught hula after school at all of the elementary schools in Hawaii Kai. Most recently, she graced the stage dancing for Kuuipo Kumukahi and Karen Aiu at the Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Center and Hyatt Regency Waikiki. A graduate of Kaimuki High School, she is survived by her husband, Richard "Babe," Bell, two daughters Ui and Kathy, brother Llewellyn Lew (Sadie), many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a sweet doggy Moana.
VACCINATION WITH MATCHING ID REQUIRERD. Visitation 10:00am to 11:00 am Monday Nov. 8, 2021 at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary; Memorial Services and Live stream at 11am (www.nmplimited.com). Hawaiian burial service 12:30pm at Diamond Head Memorial Park Cemetery.
Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
