Update: Kahului eatery gets conditional pass following complaint inspection

Update: Nov. 13, 2023:

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch issued a yellow conditional pass placard to Siu’s Chinese Kitchen on Nov. 9, 2023 allowing the establishment to reopen to the public. The establishment was reopened under a conditional pass due to the cockroach activity significantly decreasing and with no activity observed on any food or in-use equipment in the kitchen at time of inspection. 

An inspector will conduct an unannounced follow-up inspection to reassess the establishment’s progress toward eradicating the remaining cockroach activity and ensuring compliance is maintained. The restaurant, owned and operated by Siu’s Chinese Kitchen LLC, is located at 70 E. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Ste. C-5, in Kahului.   

The food establishment received a red placard on Nov. 2, 2023 and was immediately closed due to a cockroach infestation. The health department conducted an initial follow-up inspection on Nov. 6, 2023, but significant cockroach activity was still observed within the kitchen, resulting in the establishment remaining closed.

A second follow-up inspection was conducted Nov. 9, 2023 following the establishment receiving multiple pest control treatments and conducting a thorough cleaning of the kitchen. Based on the substantial decrease in cockroach activity and the establishment’s progress with removing any remaining harborage/attractant, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Food Safety Branch issued a yellow conditional pass placard allowing the establishment to reopen to the public

During the Nov. 9 follow-up inspection, the following corrective actions were observed:

• The restaurant received multiple treatments by a professional pest control company since its closure and will continue with weekly pest control treatment for the next two months;
• Food products have been contained;
• Cracks, crevices and holes have been sealed/repaired.
• Wire storage racks have been disassembled and cleaned; and
• Food debris behind the cookline has been removed and floor and walls have been steam/pressure cleaned.

Previous post: Nov. 3, 2023

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and shut down Siu’s Chinese Kitchen during a complaint inspection conducted on Nov. 2, 2023. The establishment, located at 70 E. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Ste. C-5, is operated by Siu’s Chinese Kitchen LLC.

The DOH Food Safety Branch along with inspectors from the DOH Vector Control Branch conducted the inspection because of an anonymous complaint and observed an active cockroach infestation, according to a department news release.

“Live roaches were present on the food buffet line, in food, on food contact surfaces, serving utensils, equipment, and walls. Roach egg casings and dead roaches were also observed on or around food contact surfaces. Food containers were left open for pest entry and grease build-up and debris were evident,” according to the DOH.

Based on the observations, inspectors instructed the establishment to immediately close to protect the public’s health.

The health department is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions before allowing the establishment to reopen to the public: 

• Eradicate the current roach population;
• Provide a pest control treatment and monitoring program and professional pest control treatment invoices;
• Clean and remove dead roaches, egg cases, food debris and grease build up;
• Seal or cover holes and openings that allow pests to enter;
• Remove clutter in the kitchen, storage, and restroom areas; and
• Discard broken storage containers, and properly cover dry food.

A followup inspection is scheduled for Monday Nov. 6, 2023.

The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.

To view restaurant inspection reports, go to http://hi.healthinspections.us/hawaii/.

For more information on the department’s placarding program, go to http://health.hawaii.gov/san/.