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

Oʻahu’s North Shore: Where The Buffalo Roam? Courtesy of Ian Nelson/2018

Oʻahu’s North Shore: Where The Buffalo Roam?

If the state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity approves, American bison from Montana will soon be on a plane to Hawaiʻi.

‘Godzilla’ El Niño And Recent Floods Bring Risky Fire Forecasts To Hawaiʻi Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

‘Godzilla’ El Niño And Recent Floods Bring Risky Fire Forecasts To Hawaiʻi

This year’s heavy rain has turbocharged the growth of vegetation statewide. When the inevitable dry months come, it will become extra fuel for wildfires.

Honolulu’s Right To Food, A Trailblazing Proposal, Faces The Axe Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

Honolulu’s Right To Food, A Trailblazing Proposal, Faces The Axe

More than a dozen groups are calling on the Honolulu Charter Commission to disregard recommendations to kill a proposal to make food an inalienable right.

How To Stop Your North Shore Farm From Flooding? Move, Developer Says David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

How To Stop Your North Shore Farm From Flooding? Move, Developer Says

Waialua farmers were flooded again last weekend, the fifth time since February. A local developer says it’s time to look for new land, but for many that’s unfathomable.

Wahiawā Dam Takeover: State Signs Off On Acquisition Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Wahiawā Dam Takeover: State Signs Off On Acquisition

The state is one step closer to acquiring the dam, which has a price tag for repairs in excess of $60 million.

Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui

The beetle has become emblematic of the state’s decades-long struggle to contain and mitigate the impacts of invasive species throughout the islands.

Toxic Mud? North Shore Flooding Likely Diluted Pesticide Risk Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Toxic Mud? North Shore Flooding Likely Diluted Pesticide Risk

Residents are worried the mess they are wading through is contaminated by chemicals sprayed on farms upstream. Test results are pending.

Neglected North Shore Plantation Waterways Fueled Damaging Floods Satellite image ©2026 Vantor

Neglected North Shore Plantation Waterways Fueled Damaging Floods

Sugar and pineapple acreage was sold off over the years, divided into hundreds of smaller plots for farming and housing. After the deluge, everyone is pointing fingers.

Hawai‘i Farmers Confront $11M In Flood Damage Without A Safety Net Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026

Hawai‘i Farmers Confront $11M In Flood Damage Without A Safety Net

Crop insurance is hard to attain in Hawaiʻi, and federal programs are tailored to mainland agriculture.