West Hawai‘i L&L Drive Inn shuttered by state for multiple health violations

A West Hawai‘i eatery was immediately shuttered after a state inspection in response to a public complaint turned up several health violations including a roach infestation and suspected sewage backup inside.

L&L Drive Inn in Captain Cook was shut down Aug. 2 after the Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch issued the restaurant a red “closed” placard. The food establishment is located at 81-6224 Māmalahoa Highway and owned by Tai Zhun Chen.

The complaint that led to the inspection was received Aug. 1, just a day before the inspection.

The state Health Department inspector during the examination observed:

• Live roaches throughout the kitchen on food and food contact surfaces.
• Non-operational hand-washing sink; no running water.
• Liquid rising from floor tiles in the dry storage area that had a color and odor consistent with wastewater.
• Walls, ceiling and fixtures in back cook area saturated with grease.
• Premises are not maintained free of insects.
• Outer openings of establishment are not protected against entry of insects.
• Walls and roofs of the food establishment not effectively protecting against the entry of insects.
• Physical facilities are not maintained and cleaned.

The restaurant is required by the state to take the following corrective actions, which must be completed to inspection standards, before reopening will be considered:

• Discard all contaminated food products.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all food and non-food contact surfaces.
• Contract a professional pest control operator to treat the establishment.
• Repair hand-washing sink.
• Seal all cracks, crevices and holes to prevent vector entry.
• Identify and address the source of the suspected wastewater infiltration.
• Deep clean and disinfect the establishment.

A follow-up inspection is scheduled Tuesday to re-assess the restaurant’s progress on the required actions.

For more information about the state’s placard program, visit to Food Safety Branch website.