CAPTAIN COOK, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has issued a green placard to Hong Kong Chop Suey, located at 82-6066 Māmalahoa Hwy. in Captain Cook, allowing it to resume operations. The restaurant’s reopening comes after a follow-up inspection confirmed that all previously identified critical food safety violations have been corrected.
Hong Kong Chop Suey had initially received a red placard and was immediately closed on June 12. A DOH inspector conducted a follow-up inspection on June 20, observing that all violations had been successfully resolved.
Prior to reopening, the DOH required the food establishment to implement several corrective actions, including:
- Discarding all contaminated food products.
- Hiring a professional pest control operator (PCO) and submitting proof of service and the PCO report to the DOH.
- Replacing all missing or damaged ceiling panels and closing all holes in walls to prevent vector entry.
- Completing a deep cleaning and disinfection of the premises.
- Removing unnecessary cardboard boxes and clutter to eliminate harborage sites for pests.
- Repairing the handwashing sink.
- Ensuring at least one employee with a valid food protection certificate is on duty during all operational hours.
- Retraining all food employees on proper food handling, storage, and dishwashing procedures.
The DOH Food Safety Branch is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the education of food industry workers and the regulation of food establishments across Hawaiʻi. This branch conducts routine health inspections, investigates sources of foodborne illnesses, and works to mitigate their effects to prevent future occurrences, collaborating with business owners and food service workers to ensure safe food preparation practices and sanitary conditions.
For more information on the department’s placarding program, the public can visit the Food Safety Branch website. Details about current establishment inspections are also available here.