Update: Lahaina Eatery Reopens After Follow-Up Inspection

Update: Monday, Dec. 20, 2021

The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch issued 808 Grindz Cafe a green placard and approved its reopening after a follow-up inspection found that all the critical food safety violations were corrected.
 

808 Grindz Café, located at 843 Waineʻe Street, received a red placard on Nov. 30, 2021. Follow up inspections were conducted by the Food Safety and Vector Control branches on Dec. 2 and 10, 2021 but the restaurant was kept closed due to the continuing violations. On Dec. 13, 2021 a follow-up inspection found no critical violations.

Previous Post: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021

The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard to 808 Grindz Café, located at 843 Waine‘e St. in Lahaina, Maui, saying violations were found during a routine inspection yesterday. Both adult and juvenile cockroach activity was observed, according to DOH reports.

The food establishment must remain closed until all of the violations are resolved and the health department conducts a follow-up inspection and allows the food establishment to reopen to the public.

During a routine inspection yesterday, the health department inspector noted the following alleged violations:

• About 15 live adult and juvenile cockroaches were observed crawling on the grease trap located in the back of the kitchen.
• About 20 live adult and juvenile cockroaches were observed within a white storage bin containing kitchen equipment located below the microwave.
• Multiple live cockroaches and a cockroach egg case was observed on the water heater located in the back corner of the kitchen.
• Abundant grease accumulation and food debris were observed throughout the kitchen and on kitchen equipment. Live cockroaches were observed in these areas. Grease build up and food debris attract and harbor cockroaches.
• Foods on the flat top grill were not being held at proper temperature, which can cause illness. The violation was corrected on site.

The health department is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions before they are allowed to reopen:

• The person in charge must email copies of the last two inspection reports from the pest control company and additional reports following each treatment to ensure the roach population is decreasing or eradicated.
• Establishment needs to continue with a professional pest control contractor, including daily treatment and monitoring, until it gains control of the current cockroach infestation and it is eradicated.
• Establishment needs to fully clean and remove all grease and food debris accumulation in the kitchen and on kitchen equipment. 

A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2021 to determine the status of the clean-up efforts before being allowed to reopen to the public.