Kenichi Pacific in Kona reopens after passing follow-up health inspection

Kenichi Pacific was allowed to reopen Aug. 6 by Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch officials just less than a week after being issued a red “closed” placard and forced to close upon an inspector’s discovery of multiple critical food safety violations at the Kailua-Kona restaurant.

Several violations — including numerous live and dead cockroaches seen on food-contact surfaces and in storage areas of the kitchen and food-contact equipment and surfaces not being clean — were observed July 30 at the Kailua-Kona restaurant.

It was not allowed to reopen until a follow-up inspection was conducted and the following corrective actions taken:

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

During the follow-up inspection Aug. 4, state Health Department officials determined all corrective actions were completed.

The restaurant — located at at 78-6831 Aliʻi Drive in Keauhou Shopping Center and operated by Dragonfly Hospitality Group — was issued a green “pass” placard and subsequently allowed to reopen.

Visit the state Department of Health website for additional information about the placarding program and click here to view current restaurant inspection reports.