The family of the 23-year-old Kapahulu man stabbed to death in an Ala Moana Shopping Center stairwell last week pleaded today for witnesses to come forward.

Brent “Keola” Kanae, “was a loving and trusting person who had many family and friends who loved him,” said Dale Kehau Kanae, his mother.

Keola Kanae had gone to the shopping center early last Wednesday afternoon so he could have lunch with friends before beginning his shift as a cook at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. He was found mortally wounded in a makai stairwell near California Pizza Kitchen about 3 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2012, police said.

The Kanae family had just returned from a trip to Disneyland the day before the tragedy, and Keola had wanted to meet up with friends to give them some souvenirs, his mother said.

The Kanaes held a press conference with the help of detectives on the front steps of the Honolulu Police Department headquarters on South Beretania Street this morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone. The public may also send anonymous texts and web tips by texting “CS808” plus  a message to 274637, or CRIMES.