The state Department of Health has closed the Kona Genki Sushi restaurant for an extensive roach infestation.
The state Department of Health has closed the Kona Genki Sushi restaurant for an extensive roach infestation.
The restaurant, at 74-5450 Makala Blvd. in Kailua-Kona, was conducted today in response to numerous complaints, including one by a customer who reportedly found a roach in a bento box from the popular sushi chain.
A red placard was posted at the establishment to protect public health.
During today’s inspection, extensive roach infestation was found inside the conveyor belt housing and wall, electrical control box, paper hand towels, foil packet boxes, glove boxes, in the corners of walls, behind loose panels, in flour containers and in the white bumpers used to keep food on the conveyor belt.
The closure of the Kailua-Kona Genki Sushi and the suspension of its food service permit will remain in effect until the establishment completes required actions, passes a follow-up health inspection and receives DOH approval to reopen. Required actions include completing a thorough cleaning of all food and non-food contact surfaces; ensuring all entry points are enclosed to prevent the entry of pests; contracting a pest control operator to treat the establishment; and disposing of paper goods or single-use items that have been contaminated.
A copy of the inspection report is available at http://hi.healthinspections.us/hawaii/.
All Hawaii Genki Sushi restaurants were temporarily closed in 2016 after a hepatitis A outbreak traced to tainted scallops. At the time, the chain operated 13 restaurants on Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
A preliminary settlement of $4.5 million was announced in October 2018 for people who were exposed to the virus during the 2016 outbreak.
