Thomas Heaton – Honolulu Civil Beat https://www.civilbeat.org/author/thomas-heaton/ Honolulu Civil Beat - Investigative Reporting Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:50:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Hawaiʻi Agriculture Department Loses Another Deputy https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/01/musical-chairs-hawai%ca%bbi-agriculture-department-loses-another-deputy/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1690836

High vacancy rates, particularly in key leadership positions, have cast doubt over the department's ability to strengthen protections against invasive species.

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High vacancy rates, particularly in key leadership positions, have cast doubt over the department's ability to strengthen protections against invasive species.

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DOE Gets An F: Hawaiʻi Schools Miss Their First Local Food Target https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/01/doe-gets-an-f-hawai%ca%bbi-schools-miss-their-first-local-food-target/ Fri, 10 Jan 2025 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1690212

The department has included bottled water in its accounting for locally produced food.

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The department has included bottled water in its accounting for locally produced food.

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Governor Injects $2.2 Million Into Revival Of Hawaiʻi Fire Marshal’s Office https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/12/governor-injects-2-2-million-into-revival-of-hawai%ca%bbi-fire-marshals-office/ Tue, 24 Dec 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1687064

“This is workable but it’s only the beginning,” one advocate said as the Legislature prepares to consider the details.

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“This is workable but it’s only the beginning,” one advocate said as the Legislature prepares to consider the details.

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Hawaiʻi Braces To Protect Milk Supply As Bird Flu Spreads On The Mainland https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/12/hawai%ca%bbi-braces-to-protect-milk-supply-as-bird-flu-spreads-on-the-mainland/ Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1687390

Bird flu has been found in dairy cows in 16 states and in more than 60 humans on the mainland so far this year.

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Bird flu has been found in dairy cows in 16 states and in more than 60 humans on the mainland so far this year.

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Hawaiʻi Hemp Growers Say New State Rules Will Put Them Out Of Business https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/12/hawaii-hemp-growers-say-new-state-rules-will-put-them-out-of-business/ Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1686171

The hemp industry says CBD products are vital to its survival, and suggests limiting sales to people 21 and older.

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The hemp industry says CBD products are vital to its survival, and suggests limiting sales to people 21 and older.

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How To Keep Hawaiʻi Better-Fed, According To Food-Security Advocates https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/12/food-security-advocates-talk-about-how-to-keep-hawai%ca%bbi-better-fed/ Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1685721

Communities and government need to collaborate better, and disasters laid the problems bare, summit attendees told.

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Communities and government need to collaborate better, and disasters laid the problems bare, summit attendees told.

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Hawaii Farmers Face Risk of Crime Daily. Is A Killing Enough To Spur Reform? https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/12/hawaii-farmers-face-risk-of-crime-daily-is-a-murder-enough-to-spur-reform/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1684590

Lawmakers are considering creating an agricultural crime commission and other measures to bolster laws that apply to agricultural theft, vandalism and trespass. 

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Lawmakers are considering creating an agricultural crime commission and other measures to bolster laws that apply to agricultural theft, vandalism and trespass. 

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You Thought $9 For A Dozen Eggs Was Bad? Bird Flu Might Make It Even Worse https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/11/you-thought-9-for-a-dozen-eggs-was-bad-bird-flu-might-make-it-even-worse/ Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1683757

Local chickens are in good health -- but they face a potential threat.

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Local chickens are in good health -- but they face a potential threat.

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Dole’s Wahiawa Dam Is A Hazard. Now The State Is A Step Closer To Buying It https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/11/doles-wahiawa-dam-is-a-hazard-now-the-state-is-a-step-closer-to-buying-it/ Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1682988

Upgrading aging infrastructure is key to agriculture's future in Hawaii, but there are also safety concerns.

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Upgrading aging infrastructure is key to agriculture's future in Hawaii, but there are also safety concerns.

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Safer Buildings Vs More Housing: How New Building Codes May Impact Hawaii https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/11/can-hawaii-have-safer-buildings-and-more-housing/ Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:01:00 +0000 https://www.civilbeat.org/?p=1682336

He put them on hiatus after the Maui fires, but Josh Green wants to fast-forward to the most modern codes.

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He put them on hiatus after the Maui fires, but Josh Green wants to fast-forward to the most modern codes.

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