Asa Yamashita: Honolulu Teacher Stabbed to Death (Photo)
Asa Yamashita, a literacy coordinator at Wai’anae High School, was stabbed at 1:30 p.m. on Friday while sitting on a bench at the crowded Ewa Town Center. She stumbled into a nearby nail salon where employees rendered aid. The victim was transported to Hawaii Medical Center West where she was pronounced dead, the result of multiple stab wounds to her upper torso.
Yamshita, 43, had just gotten her hair cut at Supercuts and was enjoying a snack in the mall courtyard while waiting for her friend to come and pick her up. Minutes before the assault, Tittleman Fauatea, 25, reportedly purchased an 8 inch long knife at Longs Drug in the Ewa Town Center complex. He then approached the woman and stabbed her several times. Described at 5′5″ and stocky, he then casually walked a short distance away, tossed the weapon into a trash bin and sat down.
According to Lt. Bill Kato of the Honolulu Police Department, the suspect was calmly smoking a cigarette when officers arrived on the scene. They took Fauatea into custody at 1:51 p.m. He is being held at the Kapolei Police station on a charge of second-degree murder. No word yet on a motive. He served a six day jail sentence in November 2008 for harassment.
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Filed under: Across the Nation
I was a student there. I new her from when i would be reading in the high school library. she would come in every now and then and she would talk to me and the other students and say hi. She was always smiling when i saw her. It sickens me that ANYONE would do that to such a wonderful teacher! I’m glad they caught him! Hopefully he never hurts anyone again!
I am a student here at Waianae High School. She would pop into my class every now and then. She would say Hi and she would help everyone with our reading. We held a candle light vigil for her yesterday. I hope he gets life she never did deserve that. She was always a nice woman and well respected by the students of Waianae.
I am a senior at waianae high school. I knew Mrs. yamashita since i first started here at waianae. I really didn’t know her that well, but i had the chance of seeing her and telling her hi when i see her around. She was a very strong, confident, and passionate teacher. I am very sad that shes gone.. but i know deep inside that she is in a better place.
Mrs. yamashita you will be missed. the ironic thing was she came into my class 2 days before her death to show us some new books. it’s sicking that some one would kill some one so kind and innocent like that. We will miss you! Forever in our hearts.
I am a senior at waianae high school and Mrs. yamashita was my aunty. I remember the day night my grandma called me crying and she told me what had happened. It hurt alot becaue i remember seeing her in school and seeing her with her big smile. i miss her much. but it is good she is in a better place. And i know in my heart she will be missed and loved by everyone. Thank you everyone that came to the candel ceremony it means alot to the family.