In a significant move amid ongoing food safety concerns, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard to a popular L&L Hawaiian Barbecue location at Captain Cook on the Big Island. The immediate shutdown follows an inspection revealing multiple critical health violations, including an active roach infestation, a non-operational hand-washing sink, and suspected sewage backup.
The Captain Cook location was inspected after a public complaint was filed on August 1, 2024. A follow-up inspection, next set for August 6, 2024, will evaluate whether they are in compliance.
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There’s more at play here, and that’s the Hawaii Department of Health’s lack of transparency.
Hawaii fails to maintain its online restaurant inspection report system.
This incident occurred amidst significant scrutiny over the transparency and effectiveness of Hawaii’s food safety reporting. Our recent article, “Hawaiʻi’s Food Safety Goes Dark: Critical Lapse in Public Health Transparency” highlighted the state’s failure to maintain its online restaurant inspection reporting system. The contract with the vendor maintaining the website expired in January 2024, leaving the public without access to critical health inspection information for over six months.
The lapse has raised serious concerns about public safety and government accountability. Consumers now face challenges in making informed decisions about dining safely, as they must rely on physical placards at restaurant locations rather than having access to inspection reports online.
This gap in service has been exacerbated by the lack of communication with state lawmakers, leaving them uninformed about the expiration of the service contract and its implications.
Ongoing food safety efforts and challenges as Hawaii misses an important date.
Despite these transparency issues, the DOH Food Safety Division continues to conduct routine and complaint-based inspections. However, without an accessible online system, the visibility of these efforts to the public is significantly reduced. The situation underscores the need for improved governance and public communication to restore trust in Hawaii’s commitment to health and safety.
As the DOH hopefully prepares to announce a new vendor and restore the website, which was expected in July and didn’t happen, there is still hope that the renewed system will enhance the transparency and effectiveness of food safety regulations in Hawaii, ensuring the well-being of residents and visitors alike. But as of today, the prior website no longer works at all.
Recent closures of popular restaurants in Hawaii highlight significant concerns.
Before this L&L Hawaiian Barbecue closure at Captain Cook, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) recently issued red placards to Red Lobster in Waikiki and Café Alani in Waikiki due to severe health violations.
While L&L was closed for roach infestations and sewage issues, Red Lobster faced similar problems with sewage backups between its kitchen entrance and dining area.
Café Alani, the other recent Waikiki establishment, was also cited for critical violations, though specific details were not provided.
These closures and the lack of transparency by the DOH underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining food safety standards across the islands. The lack of public access to online health inspection reports further exacerbates consumer concerns, underscoring the need for prompt and effective communication from the DOH.
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I guess the question becomes whether Hawaii is trying to achieve a second or third world governance model. Mess up food inspection, can’t manage airports; what is their skill?
Graft.
Thank you for writing about this very important issue. I look forward to hearing a website is back up and accessible to the consumer.
L&L franchises are really hit or miss. It all comes down to the franchisee and how much effort they put in. Sadyly, many don’t put in much. There are exceptions here and there, but most are a hard Avoid At All Costs.
That said, keeping kitchens need and clean in Hawaii is a full time job, where pests easily invade older buildings. I’d be more concerned about food storage & hand washing procedures, and making sure fridges and freezers are maintained at the proper temperatures.
Sorry Hawaiian’s simply don’t care. It’s Supply and Demand. If the amount of tourists to feed outnumber the restaurants available then why care about quality. IMO Hawaiian food is bland, no spices, and made cheap. Most dishes contain rice or mac salad or noodles. How can anyone screw up rice or boil macaroni? Especially if you use a rice cooker. Oh Yeah I guess if you forget the water. Stay safe eat fresh fruit and vegetables.