The state Department of Health has restored the food establishment permit and given a green placard to Makittii Hawaii.
The Hello Kitty-themed buffet restaurant on Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki was ordered to shut down and fined $35,000 a week ago upon a re-inspection by investigators, who found numerous food safety and sanitation violations.
The restaurant had been issued a “conditional” yellow pass Oct. 13 after officials received a report of a foodborne illness.
The initial investigation found what the department called inadequate hand-washing and hand-washing facilities; food unprotected from contamination; unsanitary food equipment; improper time controls for food; potential contamination of display food; and the presence of insects and rodents.
An inspection Friday found that Makittii Hawaii has corrected all food safety violations and taken managerial control over its food operations, as had been previously found lacking by the department.
Big Isle police probe possible drowning
An 80-year-old Nevada man died Thursday afternoon after encountering problems in waters at Hapuna Beach Park.
In response to a 2:53 p.m. call about a possible drowning, police officers responded to the scene. When they arrived, they were told that Glen Giles of Las Vegas had been about 20 yards out in the water when he called for help. He was taken to shore and CPR was attempted.
Fire Department personnel took Giles to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m.
The case has been classified as a coroner’s inquest. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, according to a news release.
Kihei park closes for renovations
The Maui County Parks and Recreation Department announced that the South Maui Community Park Playground and upper parking area in Kihei will be closed for renovations from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; the parking lot will open only after 4 p.m.
Partial closure of the playground area will take place Thursday through Nov. 30.
Work will include demolition of existing equipment and installation of replacement play features to enhance the playground’s safety, county officials said in a news release Friday.
The public is asked to avoid the construction areas and equipment to ensure public safety. For more information, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation, South District office, at 879-4364.
