Waialua’s Paalaa Kai Bakery is scheduled to reopen today after it passed a health inspection.
“The bakery has corrected all of its temperature control problems and complied with all food safety regulations for operating a food establishment in Hawaii. Paalaa Kai bakery’s food establishment permit has been reinstated,” said spokeswoman Janice Okubo of the state Department of Health.
Paalaa Kai Bakery is known for its “snow puffies” — custard-filled pastries topped with chocolate swirls and powdered sugar.
The Health Department on Tuesday issued the popular bakery a green “pass” placard under the state’s color-coded inspection program. It plans to resume its normal business hours, 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, at 66-945 Kaukonahua Road.
Health Department Sanitation Branch Manager Peter Oshiro said the state will conduct follow-up inspections to make sure the bakery remains in compliance.
Temperature control violations prompted the DOH to close it Oct. 6, after issuing a red “closed” placard — the first issued to a food establishment since implementation of the state’s color-coded food safety inspection program in July 2014.
Attorney Richard Ing, who represents bakery owner Paul Sakai, said plans to reopen last week were pushed back by “a slight delay in installing the equipment and getting it up and running.”
The bakery was fined $12,000 for improper temperature controls and an additional $10,000 for the alleged sale of goods after it had been shut down.
A hearing has been requested to contest claims that goods were sold after the bakery was ordered closed. Meanwhile, Ing said the bakery is communicating with the state attorney general’s office in an attempt to resolve the issue before the hearing is set.
The DOH should withdraw the violation because there is no proof such as a receipt that baked products were sold after the closure, Ing said. “We believe that the violation was issued in error.”
Oshiro said the claim is still under investigation.