Live cockroaches crawling across food prep surfaces forced health inspectors to slam the brakes on two popular Kailua-Kona restaurants in late July. Kenichi Pacific and Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina both got slapped with red “closed” placards after inspectors discovered extensive pest infestations that would make Gordon Ramsay’s nightmares look tame.
Red Placards, Swift Action
Hawaii’s no-nonsense enforcement hits two tourist favorites hard.
Kenichi Pacific at Keauhou Shopping Center took the first hit on July 30, when health inspectors found live roaches on food-contact surfaces alongside dead ones scattered through storage areas. The Hawaii Department of Health doesn’t mess around—they issued an immediate closure and demanded the full treatment: professional pest control, equipment overhaul, and deep sanitization of every surface that touches food.
The restaurant faced a laundry list of violations beyond the bug situation:
- Unclean equipment
- Poorly maintained refrigerators
- Substandard facility conditions
This painted a picture of systematic neglect that went well beyond a simple pest problem.
Pancho & Lefty’s found itself in similar hot water around the same timeframe, though specific details about their violations remain limited in official health department records.
Tropical Climate, Constant Battle
Hawaii’s humidity creates perfect conditions for restaurant pest problems.
Hawaii’s muggy climate turns pest control into a daily war for restaurant operators. Open-air dining spaces and older buildings—common features in places like Kailua-Kona—create entry points that would challenge even the most vigilant management. The tropical environment that draws tourists also provides cockroaches with ideal breeding conditions.
What sets Hawaii apart is transparency. The DOH’s red-and-green placard system puts violations in full public view—no quietly handling things behind closed doors. When you see a red placard, you know exactly why that restaurant door is locked. After operators complete required remediation, a green placard signals all-clear.
Both establishments completed their assigned homework within days. Kenichi Pacific reopened on August 4 after passing reinspection, while Pancho & Lefty’s followed a similar timeline based on local reporting. Professional pest control reports, thorough cleaning protocols, and equipment repairs satisfied health officials that the immediate hazards were eliminated.
The closures serve as a reminder that food safety requires constant vigilance, especially in challenging tropical environments. Both restaurants now operate under continued DOH oversight, with routine inspections ensuring standards stay up to par for the locals and tourists who depend on safe dining experiences.
