Captain Cook Restaurant is allowed to reopen – after health authorities found cockroaches and more: Big Island Now

L&L Drive Inn, a restaurant in Captain Cook on the Big Island, has received approval to reopen from the Hawaii Department of Health’s Food Safety Division.

On August 2, the Food Safety Authority issued a red tag to the L&L Drive Inn, operated by its owner Tai Zhun Chen. The establishment was immediately closed due to several violations:

• Observation of live cockroaches throughout the kitchen, on food and on surfaces that come into contact with food;
• Hand basin not functioning; no running water;
• Liquid with a color and odor consistent with sewage was rising from the floor tiles in the dry storage area;
• Walls, ceiling and fittings in the rear cooking area soaked with grease;
• Rooms are not kept free of insects;
• External openings of the establishment not protected against the entry of insects;
• Walls and roofs of the food establishment do not provide effective protection against the penetration of insects;
• The physical facilities are not maintained and cleaned.

The Ministry of Health conducted a follow-up inspection on August 15 and found that all violations had been corrected.

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