Thomas Heaton

1 week ago | civilbeat.org | Thomas Heaton

Some fear the state Department of Agriculture does not have what it takes to do the work laid out for it by the Legislature. Scalloped fronds of freshly planted palms on Keʻeaumoku Street caught Puakea Busby’s eye as she cycled toward Ala Moana Center last week. The O‘ahu teacher confirmed her suspicions the next day: Coconut rhinoceros beetles had eaten their way into the heart of the trees, causing the telltale V-shaped cuts.

1 week ago | civilbeat.org | Thomas Heaton

The state watchdog could get behind a more modest increase if public utility regulators investigate the interisland shipper’s relationship with its parent company. The state Division of Consumer Advocacy says it could support a temporary rate increase for Young Brothers to pay off outstanding debts while maintaining the vital interisland shipping service it provides.

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Thomas Heaton

Ua luku ʻia ka nui manu ʻōiwi o ka pae ʻāina e ka malaria manu, ka mea hoʻi a ka mokuʻāina e hoʻoponopono aku ai ma o kahi lāʻau hoʻohāpai ʻole. Ka nota a ka luna hoʻoponopono: Unuhi ʻia na Ākea Kahikina. Click here to read this article in English. ʻO ka hoʻolālā a ka mokuʻāina no ka hoʻēmi ʻana i ka laha o ka malaria manu, ka mea e luku nei i ka nui mana ʻōiwi, ua hoʻāpono lua ʻia ua hoʻolālā nei e ko Hawaiʻi ʻAha Hoʻokolokolo Waena no ka Hoʻopiʻi Kūʻē.

2 weeks ago | apnews.com | Thomas Heaton

Tools, greenhouses, customers and, most importantly, land and water — these are basic needs sorely lacking for farmers in Hawaiʻi. So a nonprofit on Kauaʻi is stepping up to fill the void by developing an agricultural park it hopes will help farmers grow and sell more food locally. The Olohena ʻĀina Center project is in the beginning stages, but local group Mālama Kauaʻi has acquired 87 acres of arable land near Kapaʻa and begun accepting applications from potential tenants.

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Thomas Heaton

Mālama Kauaʻi, which runs its own food hub, is embracing the challenge of making farming as accessible and streamlined as possible on a newly leased plot near Kapaʻa. But it won’t be easy. Tools, greenhouses, customers and, most importantly, land and water — these are basic needs sorely lacking for farmers in Hawaiʻi. So a nonprofit on Kauaʻi is stepping up to fill the void by developing an agricultural park it hopes will help farmers grow and sell more food locally.