David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health Sanitation Branch issued a red placard today to Makittii Hawaii, a Waikiki buffet restaurant located at 2380 Kuhio Avenue because of a number of food safety code violations. The restaurant is now closed and the Department of Health has temporarily suspended the restaurant’s food permit until all food code violations are corrected and the facility can demonstrate managerial control over its food operations. The restaurant has been fined $35,000 for its violations.

The Hawaii Department of Health initiated a thorough investigation in response to an alleged food borne illness incident on Oct. 13. The investigation showed inadequate hand washing and hand-washing facilities, violations for inadequate temperatures for cold and hot foods, foods not protected from contamination, unsanitary food equipment; improper time controls for foods, potential contamination of display foods, and the presence of insects and rodents. As a result, a yellow “Conditional Pass” placard was issued on Oct. 13.

Follow-up inspections on Oct. 16, 19, 22 and Nov. 5 revealed ongoing violations, including seafood and meat products being left out on the buffet line at room temperature with no time marking (foods must be discarded after four hours if not kept above 135 degrees F or below 41 degrees F). In addition, cooked food items were not being cooled to proper temperatures within the time required to prevent growth of pathogenic bacteria and other disease causing organisms.

Suspension of the establishment’s food permit will remain in effect until all violations are corrected. The establishment may request a hearing to contest the suspension and penalty fee.

The state’s placarding system for food establishments began on July 21, 2014 and since that time DOH’s Sanitation Branch has completed more than 10,300 inspections statewide under the new program. The vast majority of food establishments in Hawaii are in compliance, meet all health requirements and have their green placard displayed.

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