News Release – DOH Closes Waikoloa Restaurant & Bar for a Rodent Infestation and Multiple Food Safety Violations
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIA‘ĀINA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO
KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HO‘OKELE
DOH CLOSES WAIKOLOA RESTAURANT & BAR FOR A RODENT INFESTATION AND MULTIPLE FOOD SAFETY VIOLATIONS
26-115
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2026
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaiʻi — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down Waikoloa Restaurant & Bar. The establishment, located at 68-1790 Melia St. in Waikoloa Village, was shut down due to a rodent infestation and multiple critical food safety violations.
The food establishment, operated by Ofelia Shively, received a red placard on Sept. 2 and must remain closed until DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.
During an inspection in response to a complaint, a DOH inspector observed the following violations:
- Significant visual evidence of rodent activity, including rodent feces on food-contact surfaces and cooking equipment and rub marks along walls, conduits and other fixtures;
- Food packaging observed adulterated with rodent feces and gnaw marks.
- Visible points of entry for pests;
- Equipment food-contact surfaces and physical facilities are not maintained and cleaned;
DOH is requiring the food establishment to take the following corrective actions:
- Discard all adulterated foods;
- Points of entry on perimeter walls and ceiling are to be sealed, torn window screens must be replaced or patched, and the kitchen doors are to remain closed when not in use;
- Facility must be thoroughly cleaned and contaminated surfaces are to be disinfected;
- A contracted professional pest control operator (PCO) must assess/treat the facility for rodents.
DOH Food Safety Branch (FSB) 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.
For more information on the department’s placarding program visit the Food Safety Branch website. For updates on food establishment inspections, visit the FSB Inspections Site.
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