The state Department of Health has issued a red “closed” placard and shut down Waikoloa Restaurant & Bar due to a “rodent infestation and multiple critical food safety violations.”

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The restaurant, located at 68-1790 Melia St. in Waikoloa Village and operated by Ofelia Shively, received a red placard on Wednesday and must remain closed until DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved.

During an inspection in response to a complaint, a DOH inspector observed the following violations: “significant visual evidence of rodent activity, including rodent feces on food-contact surfaces and cooking equipment and rub marks along walls, conduits and other fixtures”; compromised food packaging with rodent feces and gnaw marks; visible points of entry for pests; and other violations.

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DOH is requiring Waikoloa Restaurant & Bar to take corrective actions, including discarding all adulterated food, sealing entry points on walls and the ceiling, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and hiring a professional pest control operator who will assess/treat the facility for rodents.

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