DOH Maui Crackdown Continues: Red “Closed” Placard Issued to Paradise Supermart

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Sanitation Branch has posted a red “Closed” placard at Paradise Supermart Fast Food & Catering located at 207 E. Wākea Avenue in Kahului on Maui for “a rodent infestation.”

This is the third food establishment on Maui to receive a red placard for violations in recent days.  Last week, violations forced the closure of the Barefruit Bar and ʻOhana Tacos. Both eateries are located at the same retail complex in Honokōwai and were issued red placards for “extensive pest infestations.”

An inspection of Paradise Supermart was conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019 due to an anonymous complaint made to the health department.

A red placard has been posted at the establishment to protect public health and will remain in place until at least Friday, Aug. 30, when a follow-up inspection is planned.

During Tuesday’s inspection, a DOH sanitarian and vector control inspectors say they observed that “nearly all shelves in the market had some trace of dark-colored rat droppings, indicating recent activity.” The DOH says rat droppings were also observed on kitchen counters, sheet pans that appeared to be in use, on speed rack equipment, and along floorboards throughout the facility.

In addition to rodent infestation, several pockets of cockroaches were observed on market produce shelves, according to the DOH.

The closure of Paradise Supermart Fast Food & Catering and the suspension of its food service permit will remain in effect until the establishment completes required actions, passes a follow-up health inspection and receives DOH approval to reopen. Required actions include contracting a pest control service and eradicating the rodent infestation; and deep cleaning of the establishment to remove food debris and sanitize all food contact surfaces.