The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has authorized the reopening of Kenichi Pacific, a restaurant in Kailua-Kona, after the establishment corrected multiple critical food safety violations. The DOH issued a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection on August 4, 2025.
Kenichi Pacific, operated by Dragonfly Hospitality Group, LLC, and located at 78-6831 Aliʻi Drive, was initially shut down on July 30 after a routine inspection revealed significant health code violations. The DOH issued a red “closed” placard at that time due to the findings, which included:
- Live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces.
- Numerous live and dead cockroaches within the kitchen and food storage areas.
- Food-contact equipment and surfaces that were not clean to sight and touch.
- Physical facilities that were not maintained and cleaned.
To reopen, the DOH required the restaurant to complete a series of corrective actions. During the follow-up inspection, the DOH determined that all corrective actions had been completed. These actions included:
- Discarding all contaminated food products.
- Hiring a professional pest control operator and submitting the service report.
- Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all food- and non-food contact surfaces.
- Removing unnecessary equipment and supplies to prevent harborage sites.
- Conducting maintenance and repair of the mechanical dishwasher and refrigerators.
The DOH Food Safety Branch is responsible for protecting public health by conducting routine health inspections of food establishments. The department’s placarding program provides the public with a clear indicator of a restaurant’s inspection status.blic health by conducting routine health inspections of food establishments. The department’s placarding program provides the public with a clear indicator of a restaurant’s inspection status.