Waialua’s Paalaa Kai Bakery has requested a hearing over claims that it sold baked goods to the public after the Department of Health shut it down earlier this month for violating state food safety regulations.

Spokeswoman Janice Okubo said the Health Department received the request Wednesday.

A hearing hasn’t been scheduled, and health officials met with bakery attorney Richard Ing the day after the request was made, Okubo said.

"We’re trying to work with them to try and resolve things," she said.

The Health Department closed the bakery Oct. 6 and issued it a red "closed" placard for temperature control violations under the state’s color-coded food safety inspection program. It fined the bakery $12,000 and an additional $10,000 for the alleged sale of products after the bakery was shut down.

Ing, who could not be reached for comment, has denied that baked goods were sold after the closure.

Paalaa Kai Bakery is known for its snow puffies — custard-filled pastries topped with chocolate swirls and powdered sugar.

The bakery recently replaced its freezers and refrigerators with new equipment in an effort to reopen.

Before Paalaa Kai was closed, Ing said, efforts were made to address problems with the old equipment, but that still didn’t meet the bakery’s or the Health Department’s standards.

Okubo said the bakery also informed the Health Department that it wants a reinspection.

"They are working on installing new equipment. Potentially in the near future, there may be a reinspection," she said.