Reporter

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.

At Civil Beat, Thomas focuses on agricultural, environmental and sustainability issues. He has a deep interest in Pacific affairs.

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.

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.

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

Should Animals Have Human Rights? Hawai‘i Court To Decide Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Should Animals Have Human Rights? Hawai‘i Court To Decide

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is being asked to free two elephants at the Honolulu Zoo based on the idea that the animals are entitled to legal personhood.

Ranching Could Soon Come To An End On Moloka‘i. Paniolo Blame TB Testing Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Ranching Could Soon Come To An End On Moloka‘i. Paniolo Blame TB Testing

Quarantine rules to prevent bovine tuberculosis are crippling the industry — and a way of life — on rural Hawai‘i island.

Empty Shelves: Young Brothers Misses 3 Shipments To Molokaʻi In 21 Days Courtesy: Friendly Market Center

Empty Shelves: Young Brothers Misses 3 Shipments To Molokaʻi In 21 Days

The shipping monopoly has missed its past two shipments to the Friendly Isle, plus another last month, leaving residents frustrated by empty store shelves and costly alternatives.

Coqui Frogs: Is Haʻikū The New Hilo? Locals Try To Stop The Spread Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Coqui Frogs: Is Haʻikū The New Hilo? Locals Try To Stop The Spread

Frustrated residents say they face a nearly impossible task in stopping the amphibians, as the under-resourced county group tasked with combating invasive species focuses on other priorities.

Fine Print Reveals Who’s To Blame For North Shore Flooding — To An Extent Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026

Fine Print Reveals Who’s To Blame For North Shore Flooding — To An Extent

The answer is unclear, largely due to the patchwork of land use agreements made during Dole’s decades-long land sell-off.

Hawaiʻi Is Sending These Animals To The Mainland In Record Numbers Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaiʻi Is Sending These Animals To The Mainland In Record Numbers

Local cattle are moving offshore despite state efforts to boost slaughterhouse capacity in the islands.

Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected (Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026)

Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected

Lawmakers, farmers and agriculture advocates found tens of millions of dollars for key infrastructure projects this legislative session.

Honolulu Homeowners Turn To Goats, Sheep To Mow Yard Ahead Of Fire Season Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026

Honolulu Homeowners Turn To Goats, Sheep To Mow Yard Ahead Of Fire Season

Flocks of livestock are not a typical city sight. But with wildfire season looming, they’re becoming an increasingly attractive prevention measure.

One Of Hawaiʻi’s Most Lucrative Crops Might Surprise You Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

One Of Hawaiʻi’s Most Lucrative Crops Might Surprise You

Millions of pounds of Hawaiʻi-grown basil are exported to Canada and the U.S. mainland. The herb is now more profitable than some of the state’s most iconic crops.