Civil Beat Staff

James Gonser

Reporter James Gonser covered public safety issues for Honolulu Civil Beat 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’s 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.
Man Accused In 1972 Waikiki Murder Pleads Not Guilty, Trial Set for February James Gonser/Civil Beat/2022

Man Accused In 1972 Waikiki Murder Pleads Not Guilty, Trial Set for February

Prosecutors says that DNA evidence links the 77-year-old to the unsolved murder of Nancy Anderson.
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.
Honolulu Man Arrested For Allegedly Forging Federal Judge’s Signature To Steal From Elderly Woman Flickr.com

Honolulu Man Arrested For Allegedly Forging Federal Judge’s Signature To Steal From Elderly Woman

The suspect allegedly convinced the woman that he had saved her Ewa Beach home from foreclosure and demanded cash payments from her.
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.
Bill To Prohibit Concealed Guns From Sensitive Places Passes First Reading at Honolulu Council Michael E. Cumpston via Wikimedia

Bill To Prohibit Concealed Guns From Sensitive Places Passes First Reading at Honolulu Council

Following three hours of public testimony Tuesday, Bill 57 will next be heard in the Executive Matters and Legal Affairs committee.
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.