The Maui News

Pizza in Paradise in Kahului has been shut down and labeled an “imminent health hazard” after the discovery of maggots, roaches and other unsanitary conditions by the state Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch.

During a routine inspection last week, the Health Department noted the severity of the violations and immediately issued a red placard to the restaurant on Thursday. The business, which is operated by Pacific Restaurant Management and located at 60 Wakea Avenue, Suite 101, must remain closed until all of the violations are resolved and the department approves resuming operations after a follow-up inspection, according to a DOH news release Monday.

The inspection report pointed out that the facility has a long history of clutter and other violations. In the most recent routine inspection, multiple foodborne illness risk factors were observed, including:

• A large pot containing old food on the kitchen floor with live, moving maggots.

• Roaches in several areas of the kitchen, indicating a healthy breeding population.

• Plates of food left in the former dining area that had not been discarded and were covered with small flies of unknown type, possibly fruit flies.

• Items such as boxes and old equipment completely filling the facility.

• Hand sink, counter tops and food prep areas used to store food items that did not appear to have been cleaned in a long time.

• Vegetables that appeared to be rotten on outer surfaces that were stored with other vegetables, and it was unclear whether they were discarded or used in food preparation.

• Raw beef, pork and poultry completely packed in the two-door chill and not arranged to prevent cross-contamination.

• Foods not refrigerated and stored at proper temperatures.

• Many items such as opened canned goods and bottled goods on counters with mold growth.

Among the actions the restaurant must take before reopening are:

• Completely placing all insects under control by a professional pest service provider.

• Properly discarding all customer discarded plates and food remains.

• Removing all items contributing to the piles of debris in the restaurant to avoid an unhealthy food environment.