By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
The Rev. Tom Fujita leads a brief ceremony honoring Edwin
Iwata. Mourners gathered to remember Iwata, who was found
murdered on this spot, just outside the Circuit Court building
where he worked as a custodian.

He left behind no family,
but ‘Big Ed’ was appreciated

Star-Bulletin staff

Every morning, the "gentle giant" coworkers at state Circuit Court called "Big Ed" meticulously vacuumed the well of the courtroom, between the judge's bench and the "bar", the swinging doors where attorneys must walk through to appear before the court.

Edwin Iwata wanted the courtroom immaculate and quietly disapproved when people walked through the area before the judge appeared.

"He was very professional about that," said Circuit Judge Michael Town, one of 80 people who stood under a gentle rain today for a brief ceremony on the lawn where Iwata was found slain July 14.

A private memorial service was already held by relatives.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Jean Lee, a family friend, stops where mourners
placed flowers in memory of Iwata.

Iwata was an only child and his parents have passed on, said Jean Lee, a neighbor who had cared for Iwata as a child.

The one who will probably miss him most friends say is Takeyo Tanno, the wife of his father's best friend with whom he had dinner every evening after work.

Her husband had passed on and Iwata would often cook for her, a friend said.

Co-workers remembered Iwata as quiet, helpful and hardworking.

Police are attempting to identify a male suspect seen arguing with Iwata about 4:20 a.m. on the Circuit Court grounds at Punchbowl and Halekauwila the day he was murdered.

Police continue to follow up on tips received via CrimeStoppers but nothing concrete has panned out yet, an investigator said.