Health Department Says Red Cards at Maui Restaurants Part of Routine Inspections

After three Maui restaurants were given “red cards” last month, some Maui Now readers have been wondering if there was some sort of state Department of Health (DOH) “crackdown” locally.

Not according to Anna Koethe, DOH Public Health Information Coordinator, who said the first two red cards were routine inspections, and the last inspection was based upon a complaint.

“Our hope is that other food establishments review their own pest control measures and take action to eradicate any pests by having ongoing professional pest control services in their own food establishments,” Koethe said.

According to the DOH Maui Sanitation Branch, the red cards were given out for the following reasons:

• “The first red placard was issued to Ohana Tacos. The roach infestation was discovered as part of a routine inspection, which is a risk-based inspection that evaluates the critical food safety issues that – have been found to cause foodborne illness.”
• “The second red placard was posted at Barefruit Bar following a focused inspection for pests only, which took place as a precaution because the establishment was in the same complex as Ohana Tacos. Similar focused inspections were completed at Okazuya Deli and Fish Market, but no pest infestations were identified.”
• “The last red placard was posted at Paradise Supermart following an inspection that took place as the result of a complaint.”