Hiro's Place, a popular eatery in Hilo, has been dealt a serious blow after the Hawai‘i Department of Health's Food Safety Branch slammed the establishment with a red "closed" placard. The sudden measure comes after inspectors uncovered a series of repeated food safety infractions that caused an immediate shutdown.
Inspections on March 24 and March 27 laid bare an unsettling scene. Inspectors encountered various infractions, such as a hand sink missing soap and paper towels, workers handling food without gloves, and food stored haphazardly in refrigerators. On top of that, sanitizers were found to have inadequate concentrations, wipe cloths were misused, and proper hot and cold holding temperatures were ignored. Employees were seen eating and drinking right in the middle of the food prep area, a definite no-go for hygienic practices.
The officials made the decision to close Hiro’s Place after a follow-up visit last Friday, detecting the same set of violations as the previous inspections. According to a report from the Health Department, the establishment was shut down for posing "an imminent health hazard to the public." It was clear that Hiro’s Place had failed to uphold the necessary food safety standards expected of food service establishments.
As remedial steps, the DOH is mandating that Hiro’s Place employees undergo food safety training. Additionally, the establishment must craft written procedures on effective handwashing, sanitization, and food handling processes. A deep cleaning of the premises is also on the checklist before another inspection is considered. As it stands, Hiro’s Place will stay closed until these stipulated corrective actions are fully implemented and verified by the DOH.
The severity of the response by the DOH serves as a reminder of the department's commitment to the health and safety of Hawai'i's residents and visitors alike. The Food Safety Branch's role extends from the education of industry personnel to the exacting regulation of state-wide food establishments. Those interested in the specifics of the state’s placarding program, and detailed restaurant inspections can find additional information on the Food Safety Branch page.
