The Garden Island’s new environmental reporter, Nathan Eagle, had followed a clearly etched career path for years when he decided to stop writing and drive cross-country. After three journalism internships, two awards and one reporting job in his home state
The Garden Island’s new environmental reporter, Nathan Eagle, had followed a clearly etched career path for years when he decided to stop writing and drive cross-country.
After three journalism internships, two awards and one reporting job in his home state of Ohio, Eagle felt he had plateaued.
Lacking inspiration in his daily routine, he “retired” from The Daily Advocate in Greenville and took to the road in search of something more.
A brief stint in Colorado gave way to a scenic journey north from Southern California to Vancouver, Canada. Six months later, he returned to family and friends in Oxford, Ohio, ready to pick up his note pad.
“I realized on the road that that’s where I belong,” Eagle said of journalism.
That’s when he got the call from Adam Harju, editor of The Garden Island.
Having received Eagle’s resumé months before, Harju thought he’d be a good match for the paper’s new environmental reporter position.
“In discussions with Nathan, his commitment to environmental issues was evident in the subjects he chose to report on,” Harju said. “His previous daily newspaper experience is one of the many reasons he will be a good addition to the newsroom.”
In his two years at The Daily Advocate, Eagle covered Environmental Protection Agency violations such as digging near an old glass-making facility and sewage run-off from a trailer park.
He reported on community issues of all sorts and even received an award from The Associated Press for a series on enforcement of a local sign ordinance that negatively impacted residents and businesses.
“It’s a sincere desire to make a difference and that I can do that using my skills as a writer and reporter,” he said of why he loves his profession.
Moving to Kaua‘i has proven to be another adventure for the 25-year-old who enjoys camping and hiking — and a good fit so far.
“I’ve met lots and lots of warm people of all kinds of backgrounds,” he said of his first week on the island.
On settling into the job, Eagle is looking forward to learning about Hawaiian culture and respecting the island’s traditions as he tackles environmental issues.
“I think community awareness is the key,” he said.
Eagle can be reached with story ideas or comments at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or via e-mail at neagle@kauaipubco.com.
