Civil Beat Staff

Thomas Heaton

Thomas is a reporter for Civil Beat. He joined the news outlet in 2021 as a Li Center for Global Journalism Fellow at Honolulu Civil Beat, position supported by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and the Institute for Nonprofit News. The Li Center was established to prepare journalists to work, think and report globally.

At Civil Beat, Thomas focuses on issues in and around the Pacific.

Having recently completed a Master of Arts at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Thomas has previously worked in regional and national news organizations in New Zealand and Nepal. 

A Kiwi by birth, Thomas made his start with a regional daily newspaper in New Zealand, where he covered social issues, health, local politics and general news. He was a finalist for Regional Reporter of the Year at the national media awards for his coverage of regional flooding, and regional health care issues, in his first year of reporting.

Later working for Cuisine magazine and Stuff.co.nz as a food reporter, Thomas wrote about everything from fisheries and agriculture to Filipino pinoy and the country’s national pie awards. 

He eventually followed his stomach to the base of the Himalayas, where he worked for The Nepali Times and The Kathmandu Post. At the Post he was deputy culture and arts editor, and wrote long-form pieces about the food industry, culture, tourism, travel, and restaurant reviews. He spent a few weeks trekking too.

Thomas has a propensity for slow travel and secondary fun, and he is always planning the next meal. Despite his army brat upbringing and nomadic life, the Pacific has always been home. He is glad to be back.

Feel free to contact him with tips and ideas at theaton@civilbeat.com, or find him on Twitter and Instagram

A Lauded Summer Food Program Has Restarted But Rural Kids Could Miss Out Due To USDA Rules David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

A Lauded Summer Food Program Has Restarted But Rural Kids Could Miss Out Due To USDA Rules

Demographic shifts mean that all of Maui County is excluded from a federal program meant to benefit kids in rural communities.

Hawaii DOE Has Returned Millions Of Dollars That Could Have Bought Local Food Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii DOE Has Returned Millions Of Dollars That Could Have Bought Local Food

Hawaii's congressional delegation wants to know why the money it fights for is not being used by the Department of Education.

Destructive Beetle Could Thrive If Natural Disaster Strikes Courtesy: Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Destructive Beetle Could Thrive If Natural Disaster Strikes

Pacific neighbors are fighting back against the coconut rhinoceros beetle, and there are lessons for Hawaii.

Q&A With Rep. Jill Tokuda: Hawaii Speciality Crops Need Support In The New Farm Bill Photo Courtesy: Office of Rep. Jill Tokuda

Q&A With Rep. Jill Tokuda: Hawaii Speciality Crops Need Support In The New Farm Bill

The importance of nutritional assistance like SNAP was apparent during a recent statewide tour.

Lawmakers Deep Six Legislation That Would  Enable Counties To Redistrict Lands Civil Beat/2010

Lawmakers Deep Six Legislation That Would Enable Counties To Redistrict Lands

The bill was substantially altered during conference committee drawing scrutiny.

Hawaii Good Food Alliance Selected By USDA To Bolster Non-Mainland Food Systems Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Hawaii Good Food Alliance Selected By USDA To Bolster Non-Mainland Food Systems

Hawaii will play host to a center that aims to empower food producers and businesses in US states and territories.

‘Fox Watching The Henhouse’: Last Minute Tweaks To Land Use Bill Create A Stir David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

‘Fox Watching The Henhouse’: Last Minute Tweaks To Land Use Bill Create A Stir

Updated: The bill was recommitted to conference committee Thursday, effectively killing it.

Food And Farming Advocates Look To State Budget After Mixed Results This Session Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Food And Farming Advocates Look To State Budget After Mixed Results This Session

The hemp industry is poised for a legislative win after several years of negotiation.