State shutters Kenichi Pacific in Kailua-Kona for multiple food safety violations

This story was updated and corrected at 10:28 p.m. Aug. 1, 2025.

Hawai‘i Department of Health shut down Kenichi Pacific after multiple critical food safety violations — including numerous live and dead cockroaches being seen on food-contact surfaces and in storage areas of the kitchen — were discovered at the Kailua-Kona restaurant.

The restaurant — located at 78-6831 Aliʻi Drive in Keauhou Shopping Center and operated by Dragonfly Hospitality Group — received a red “closed” placard July 30 and must remain closed until the state Health Department conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.

A state inspector during a routine inspection 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 restaurant must take the following corrective actions before it is allowed to reopen:   

• Discard all contaminated food products.
• Hire a professional pest control operator and submit the service report to the the state Health Department.
• 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.

Visit the Food Safety Branch website for additional information about the placard program and click here for more information about current establishment inspections.