On the morning of March 21, 2005, 54-year-old Owen Kazutoshi Hamada of Honolulu by way of Hilo was found dead on the floor of the women’s restroom at Waikele Community Park in West Oahu. Park employees discovered him during morning rounds; he had often used that restroom as a place to sleep. Emergency responders pronounced him deceased at the scene. Investigators described him as having been savagely beaten and treated the death as a homicide.

Hamada had worked as a construction laborer and roofing contractor and had been experiencing homelessness in the Waikele area, where he was well known around the shopping center and nearby eateries. He was last seen the night of March 20, 2005, at the Waikele McDonald’s and apparently went to the park restroom to sleep. Detectives reported his wallet was missing, a detail that raised the possibility of robbery but did not settle motive publicly. His family offered a reward for information and urged witnesses to come forward.

The Honolulu Police Department continues to list the killing as an open cold case. If anyone who knew Hamada or who was in the Waikele area that night has information, please share it with investigators.