The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has closed Paradise Supermart Fast Food & Catering in Kahului following a routine inspection on February 5, 2025. The closure was due to multiple critical food safety violations observed by the Maui Food Safety Branch. The establishment, operated by Paradise Asian Foods Inc., is located at 207 East Wakea Ave.
The inspection revealed several repeated violations, including "a lack of managerial control and oversight of procedures to ensure safe food," improper hand-washing procedures, refrigeration units not maintaining proper temperatures, foods not held at correct hot holding temperatures, mold on food, insufficient equipment sanitization and cleaning, grease and food debris accumulation on floors and equipment surfaces, and the presence of cockroaches and flies in the kitchen where food is prepared and stored.
These issues had previously led to the establishment's shutdown on November 21, 2023. It was deemed an imminent health hazard at that time as well. Due to its inability to maintain proper food safety standards, the establishment will remain closed until all deficiencies are corrected as determined by DOH.
Before scheduling a follow-up inspection with DOH, Paradise Supermart must meet several requirements: contact a professional pest control company for eradication of cockroaches; remove all grease and debris from kitchen surfaces; repair refrigeration units to ensure they keep foods at 41°F or less; ensure the person in charge obtains food handler’s certification; and prepare procedures for monitoring hot and cold holding temperatures along with cleaning routines and pest control measures.
An update and timeline for completing these requirements must be provided by February 10, 2025.
The DOH Food Safety Branch aims to protect Hawai‘i residents' health through education of food industry workers and regulation of establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine inspections where food products are prepared or sold and investigates sources of foodborne illnesses. They work closely with business owners to promote safe food preparation practices.
For more information about the department’s placarding program or current establishment inspections, visit their website.