The Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down Kenichi Pacific in Kailua-Kona due to food safety violations.
The food establishment, operated by Dragonfly Hospitality Group, LLC, received a red placard on July 30 and must remain closed until the DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.
During a routine inspection, a DOH inspector observed the following violations:
- Live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces;
- Numerous live and dead cockroaches within the kitchen and food storage areas;
- Food-contact equipment and surfaces were not clean to sight and touch;
- Physical facilities were not maintained and cleaned.
The DOH is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions:
- Discard all contaminated food products;
- Hire a professional pest control operator and submit the service report to the DOH;
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect all food- and non-food contact surfaces;
- Remove unnecessary equipment and supplies to prevent harborage sites;
- Conduct maintenance and repair of the mechanical dishwasher and refrigerators.
The establishment is required to remain closed for business until all violations have been corrected and a follow-up inspection by the DOH has been conducted.