WAIANAE, Hawaii -- Waianae High School overflowed with more than 1,000 people honoring a popular teacher who was stabbed to death last week.

Students and faculty held a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night for Asa Yamashita, 43.

She was stabbed to death at the Ewa Town Center Friday afternoon, in what appears to be a random attack.

The Yamashita family attended the tribute and witnessed an outpouring of grief, love and good memories from those who knew the beloved wife, mother and teacher.

Yamashita's family members sat in the front row. They listened as teachers and students shared their fond memories and love for the English teacher and literacy coach.

"We just loved her so much and thank you for sharing her with us," Waianae teacher Georgie Keiki said.

"She's a small, petite lady, but she had a big heart toward her students and her passion, teaching and reading," one student said.

"We honor her memory by focusing our energy to see that her dream does not go unfulfilled," Waianae teacher Kat Muranaka said.

The students and faculty who cared for Yamashita donated books for the reading program she organized and created at Waianae High School.

They sold candles to create a scholarship fund in her honor. They wrote memory cards and signed banners that will be given to Yamashita's family.

People with no connection to Waianae High School attended the event to honor their friend as well.

"She was somebody who lived her faith. I'm proud to have known her," friend Judy Stucke said.

As a long line of students shared their stories of Yamashita, her daughter, perhaps too young to understand, simply read a book as her mother had taught her to do.

Yamashita's husband Brian acknowledged the family is hurting. However, he urged the crowd not to be angry. He asked that they look for the positive in her death.

"When a part of us dies, there is rebirth and there is room for change," Brian Yamashita said. "Look for the opportunity for change and rebirth because that would honor my wife. If you can do that, I swear, I can almost accept this."

Friends set up an account to help Yamashita's family during its time of grief. They would also like to create a scholarship to perpetuate her legacy as an educator.

If you would like to help, you can make a donation to any branch of American Savings Bank in Hawaii. The donation should be made in the name of "Friends for Asa Yamashita."

Organizer asked that contributors not mail checks or money orders.

Funeral services for Yamashita are pending.

The man accused of killing Yamashita remains in police custody. KITV found in court documents that Tittleman Fauatea has a history of mental illness. Read more about it.