Hawaii Health Department Shuts Down Thai Restaurant Over Rodent Infestation

PHNOM PENH, August 4, 2026 – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has issued a red "closed" placard and ordered the immediate shutdown of Baan Thai Family Cuisine in Kailua-Kona following a routine inspection that revealed a rodent infestation and multiple critical food safety violations.

The establishment, operated by Miyavadee Khamya, received the red placard on July 29 and must remain closed until a follow-up inspection confirms all violations have been resolved, according to a DOH statement released July 30.

During the inspection, DOH officials observed an abundance of rodent feces throughout the facility, including on food-contact surfaces, as well as visible entry points for pests. Inspectors also found that food was not stored properly to prevent contamination, potentially hazardous foods were kept at improper temperatures, and ready-to-eat items lacked proper date marking. Additional violations included a mechanical dishwasher that failed to dispense sanitizer at the correct concentration, hand-washing sinks missing soap with one sink obstructed, and poor maintenance of physical facilities.

The DOH has mandated corrective actions, requiring the establishment to discard all contaminated food, seal holes and crevices, and engage a professional pest control operator with a service report submitted to the department. The restaurant must also undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection, remove unnecessary equipment, retrain employees on food handling and date marking, ensure proper refrigeration temperatures, repair the dishwasher, and retrain staff on hand-washing sink use.

The DOH Food Safety Branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments statewide as part of its mandate to protect public health through education and regulation.

— Source: Hawai‘i Department of Health

https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/doh-closes-baan-thai-family-cuisine-for-a-rodent-infestation-and-multiple-food-safety-violations/

Reported by The Khmer Today