Update: Kona restaurant reopens after addressing health code violations

May 23 update at 12:45 p.m.: The Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch allowed Jade Palace Two to reopen, issuing a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection on May 22. 

The food establishment, located at 75-5595 Palani Road in Kailua-Kona is operated by Minh Tuan Tran.   

The Department of Health required the food establishment to take the following corrective actions: 

• Discard all contaminated food products
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all food and non-food contact surfaces 
• Hire a professional pest control operator and submit the report to DOH
• Complete a deep cleaning and disinfection
• Retrain all food employees on proper food handling and storage

During the follow-up inspection, DOH determined that all violations had been resolved and concluded that there was no imminent health hazard.   

Original post: The Jade Palace in Kailua-Kona was shut down by the Hawai‘i Department of Health Food and Safety Branch due to an active cockroach infestation, adulterated food products and unsanitary conditions.

The restaurant, operated by Minh Tuan Tran and located at 75-5595 Palani Road, was issued a red “closed” placard on May 21 following a routine inspection. According to a press release from the Department of Health, the inspector’s visit revealed contaminated food; live cockroaches in food, on food preparation surfaces, and below equipment; physical facilities are not maintained and cleaned; employee observed returning to work without washing hands; foods not stored properly to prevent contamination; and ready-to-eat foods in the refrigerator not properly date marked.

DOH is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions:

• Discard all contaminated food products
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all food and non-food contact surfaces
• Hire a professional pest control operator and submit the report to DOH
• Facility to undergo a deep cleaning and disinfection
• All food employees must be retrained for proper food handling and
• storage.

The establishment shall remain closed for business until all violations have been corrected and a follow-up inspection by the Department of Health has been conducted. The operator will contact DOH for a follow-up inspection when all violations have been corrected.