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

Hawaiʻi Can’t Catch A Break From Storms. It Has To Adapt Craig Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hawaiʻi Can’t Catch A Break From Storms. It Has To Adapt

As the state recovers from multiple natural disasters, residents and officials are starting to talk about what needs to change to make the islands more resilient.

Hurricane Lowell: Parts Of Kaua‘i ‘Like A War Scene’ Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2026

Hurricane Lowell: Parts Of Kaua‘i ‘Like A War Scene’

The brunt of storm damage was still being assessed on Kauaʻi. One person was killed on Oʻahu from a falling tree.

Hurricane Lowell Hit Kauaʻi Hard, But Worst Fears Averted Courtesy: Joel Guy/2026

Hurricane Lowell Hit Kauaʻi Hard, But Worst Fears Averted

Almost all of Kauaʻi was without power Tuesday, as officials assess damage and community members start to clean up.

ʻUlu On The Up: Hawaiʻi Breadfruit Production Keeps Booming Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2025

ʻUlu On The Up: Hawaiʻi Breadfruit Production Keeps Booming

This year’s stormy weather might drive a dip in production. But if longer-term forecasts are accurate, breadfruit could get closer to resuming its status as a Hawaiian staple.

Rare Hawaiian Birds Weather Hurricane Lala But More Storms Loom Courtesy: Andrew Sullivan-Haskins/2026

Rare Hawaiian Birds Weather Hurricane Lala But More Storms Loom

The birds and ecosystems of Kamole are in recovery after Hurricane Lala passed over the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiʻi Ag Leaders Planned To Oust Official Despite Public Praise Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2024

Hawaiʻi Ag Leaders Planned To Oust Official Despite Public Praise

Agribusiness Development Corp. Executive Director Wendy Gady resigned days after the agency’s board celebrated progress.

Hawaiʻi Ranchers Welcome Rain But Endure Weather Whiplash (Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026)

Hawaiʻi Ranchers Welcome Rain But Endure Weather Whiplash

Broken fences, destroyed roads, new gulches, dead cattle and lost land may soon be the price to pay for greener grass as climate change aggravates extreme weather events.

How Is Climate Change Shaping Tropical Storm Lala? National Weather Service/2026

How Is Climate Change Shaping Tropical Storm Lala?

Warmer ocean temperatures play a role in the strength of storms.

As Flood Aid Trickles Out For North Shore, Southeast Asian Farmers Are Left Behind Thomas Heaton/Civil Beat/2026

As Flood Aid Trickles Out For North Shore, Southeast Asian Farmers Are Left Behind

For some Thai and Laotian farmers, language barriers and immigration status stand in the way of seeking help they need after the Kona lows.