Nalu’s South Shore Grill was allowed to reopen last week after the state Department of Health forced the Kihei restaurant to close in July over critical food safety violations.
The department issued a red “closed” placard to Nalu’s on July 29 after repeated inspections found a history of cold-holding issues at the restaurant. Food establishments are required to have adequate equipment for temperature control to keep potentially hazardous food safely at temperatures of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, according to the department.
Other critical violations included:
• Bare hands handling ready-to-eat foods.
• No soap at one handwashing sink.
• Washing a utensil in a handwashing sink.
• Bar dishwasher had no detergent or sanitizer.
• Raw fish stored above ready-to-eat foods.
• A fly landing on a piece of uncooked chicken.
Nalu’s was also cited for lack of written procedures to use time as public health control for potentially hazardous foods not held at 41 degrees or below.
The restaurant remained closed until it could ensure that all cold-holding units remained at 41 degrees or below during operating hours and they received DOH approval to reopen.
On Aug. 2, a follow-up inspection confirmed that all violations were corrected, and all refrigeration temperatures were at or below 41 degrees at the time of inspection. The department posted a green placard and approved Nalu’s reopening.
To keep foods at proper cold-holding temperatures, Nalu’s has:
• Purchased new refrigeration units that are anticipated to be installed by November. They are intended to decrease the strain on the walk-in chill unit by reducing the number of times the walk-in chill unit is accessed.
• Installed curtains at entryways to the walk-in chill unit to reduce cold air escaping.
• Moved and stored some dairy items in the walk-in chill unit No. 2 that maintains temperatures at or below 41 degrees.
• Planned to keep daily cold-holding logs for all refrigeration units to monitor temperatures and ensure they remain at or below 41 degrees.
To review health inspection reports for Hawaii food establishments, visit hi.healthinspections.us/hawaii/#facility.
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