Civil Beat Staff

James Gonser

Reporter James Gonser covered public safety issues for 天美视频 from September to December 2022.

He began his journalism career at Pacific Business News as a reporter and photographer in 1988 and subsequently worked at the Sun Press weekly newspapers in Kaneohe covering crime and community news.

He also worked at The Honolulu Advertiser as a community news reporter and editor for a decade until the newspaper was absorbed by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in 2010.

He then taught journalism at the University of Hawaii Manoa and Chaminade University and was the staff advisor for the UH student newspaper Ka Leo O Hawaii.

Most recently, he worked as a public information officer for the Hawaii Department of Health and as Assistant Director of Communications for the Hawaii House of Representatives.

He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism from the University of Hawaii Manoa.

He moved from California to Hawaii in 1977 and made the islands his permanent home. He is a world traveler, plays American folk and blues on guitar, and loves animals. He lives in Honolulu with his wife Grace and her cats.

Hawaii County’s ‘Sensitive Locations’ Bill To Limit Concealed Carry Areas Now In Effect David Croxford/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii County’s ‘Sensitive Locations’ Bill To Limit Concealed Carry Areas Now In Effect

Private property open to the public on the Big Island will need to display signs if concealed carry isn’t permitted.

Man Killed By Officers In Waikiki Is First Fatal Shooting By Police In 2022 James Gonser/Civil Beat/2022

Man Killed By Officers In Waikiki Is First Fatal Shooting By Police In 2022

The killing was not captured on police body cameras but video from the hotel may have recorded the event.

Police Commission Moves To Speed Up Hiring Process Next Time New Chief Needed Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Police Commission Moves To Speed Up Hiring Process Next Time New Chief Needed

The commission took criticism after it took a full year to hire Chief Joe Logan following the previous chief’s sudden resignation.

City Installs Sign Detailing Deaths On Olomana Trail To Inform Hikers Of Risks Courtesy: Jim Ireland/Honolulu EMS

City Installs Sign Detailing Deaths On Olomana Trail To Inform Hikers Of Risks

Six people have fallen to their deaths from the mountain in the last decade, including two this year.

Honolulu City Council To Take First Look At Sensitive Places Gun Bill As Public Weighs In Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2015

Honolulu City Council To Take First Look At Sensitive Places Gun Bill As Public Weighs In

The bill’s supporters say we must keep guns out of public areas frequented by children but opponents believe citizens with guns will provide a deterrent against crime.

Prosecutors Roll The Dice On New Enforcement Measures Targeting Illegal Gambling Rooms David Croxford/Civil Beat/2022

Prosecutors Roll The Dice On New Enforcement Measures Targeting Illegal Gambling Rooms

Increased criminal penalties are intended to give investigators an ace up their sleeve in their efforts to stifle the operations and the criminal activity that can accompany them.

Honolulu Police Chief Tries To Rebuild Community Trust One Group At A Time Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Honolulu Police Chief Tries To Rebuild Community Trust One Group At A Time

Business professionals question the chief on homelessness, police staffing and how they can support the department.

Hawaii Struggles To Revise Gun Laws After Supreme Court Decision Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii Struggles To Revise Gun Laws After Supreme Court Decision

Honolulu is the only county in the state that hasn’t yet finalized new concealed-carry gun rules, leading to a backlog in permit applications.

Hawaii Drug Abuse Prevention Groups Focus On Combating Fentanyl Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii Drug Abuse Prevention Groups Focus On Combating Fentanyl

With accidental overdoses and drug-related deaths rising in Hawaii, adolescents are the focus of law enforcement and prevention programs.