(BIVN) – The Waikoloa Restaurant & Bar has been shut down due to a rodent infestation and multiple critical food safety violations, health officials say.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed the Melia Street establishment on Wednesday, September 2. Restaurant, operated by Ofelia Shively, must remain closed until a follow-up inspection is conducted and all critical violations are resolved, the health department says.
During an inspection in response to a complaint, the DOH says an inspector observed the following violations:
- Significant visual evidence of rodent activity, including rodent feces on food-contact surfaces and cooking equipment and rub marks along walls, conduits and other fixtures;
- Food packaging observed adulterated with rodent feces and gnaw marks.
- Visible points of entry for pests;
- Equipment food-contact surfaces and physical facilities are not maintained and cleaned;
The health department is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions:
- Discard all adulterated foods;
- Points of entry on perimeter walls and ceiling are to be sealed, torn window screens must be replaced or patched, and the kitchen doors are to remain closed when not in use;
- Facility must be thoroughly cleaned and contaminated surfaces are to be disinfected;
- A contracted professional pest control operator (PCO) must assess/treat the facility for rodents.
