About 45 people participated in a Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence silent march around the state Capitol last night in memory of attorney Craig Kimsel, who was murdered at his Kailua home April 28.

The marchers wore photo patches of Kimsel and carried anti-domestic-violence placards. A number of passing vehicles honked their horns.

Afterward, Loretta Kimsel, sister of the victim, paused on the rotunda steps to thank everyone who had come to show their support.

Fighting back tears, she described her brother as a wonderful, witty man and a "fantastic brother."

"We had such good times together," she said. "He is going to be greatly missed."

Joseph Bloom, who helped organize the march, said the message was "to let the community know that we cannot remain silent any longer about domestic violence — because, ultimately, it leads to this."

Early this month, Daniel Kahanaoi, 45, of Waimanalo, was charged with second-degree murder in Kimsel's death.

Kahanaoi is accused of going to Kimsel's home in search of Kanahaoi's former girlfriend, Rusty Anoba. Police said he shot Kimsel in the neck and back after Kimsel asked him to leave. Kimsel, 47, was taken to Castle Medical Center, where he died.

In January, Kimsel had filed for a temporary restraining order against Kahanaoi, accusing him of hitting him in the face in Kimsel's home driveway. That order was not served because Kahanaoi could not be found at the time.

However, in March a restraining order obtained by Anoba was served against Kahanaoi. Anoba was at Kimsel's house the night of the shooting. In addition to murder, Kahanaoi has been charged with violating Anoba's restraining order, and with burglary and firearms crimes.

One of last night's march participants, Mark Johnson, who owns a company that specializes in car sound systems, said he had never participated in a demonstration march before. This march, though, was personal.

"Craig was a good friend," said Johnson, who worked on Kimsel's car systems. "He had a big heart. He was always for the underdog. It's just a shame that somebody like him had to be taken out like that."