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The Maui News
A Lahaina restaurant has been approved to reopen after being forced to close last month due to a cockroach infestation and other violations.
The state Department of Health issued a green placard to 808 Grindz Cafe after a follow-up inspection found that all critical food safety violations were corrected, the department said in a news release Monday.
The restaurant at 843 Wainee St. received a red placard on Nov. 30 and closed immediately after inspectors found live adult and juvenile cockroaches as well as grease accumulation and food debris in the kitchen and on equipment. Foods on the flattop grill were not being held at proper temperature, a violation that was corrected on-site.
DOH's Food Safety and Vector Control branches conducted follow-up inspections on Dec. 2 and 10, but the restaurant remained closed due to the continuing presence of an active population of roaches and grease buildup. On Dec. 13, a follow-up inspection found no critical violations and the active roach infestation had been eradicated.
Some noncritical violations that were reported included:
• Live roaches in the kitchen, though none were observed on any food contact surfaces.
• Minor areas of grease buildup on the floor that remained to be thoroughly cleaned.
808 Grindz Cafe provided pest control contractor treatment and monitoring reports for the last few weeks and were advised to continue with at least weekly pest control treatments for the next few months and to continue to seal any remaining holes, the department said.