The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down White Guava Cafe in Hilo due to a roach infestation and multiple critical food safety violations.

The food establishment, operated by AJ & Sons Catering, LLC, received a red placard and must remain closed until the DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.

After an initial inspection on Oct. 14, the establishment received a yellow “conditional” placard and the DOH followed up with an inspection on Oct. 16.

During the follow-up 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 was neither safe, unadulterated, nor honestly presented;
• Food-contact equipment and surfaces were not clean to sight and touch;
• Poisonous or toxic materials are not stored so they cannot contaminate food, equipment, utensils, linens and single-service and single-use articles.

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;
• Repair broken frame of back door leading to kitchen to protect the establishment from the weather and the entry of insects, rodents and other animals;
• Remove all poisonous or toxic materials from food prep areas.

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.