The Hawaii Department of Health has closed down the White Guava Cafe in Hilo, with a red placard, due to a roach infestation and multiple food safety violations.

DOH said in a news release that the food establishment, operated by AJ & Sons Catering LLC received a red placard on Thursday after a follow-up inspection found numerous live and dead cockroaches within the kitchen and food storage areas, among other violations.

The White Guava Cafe at 54 E. Puainako St. had received a yellow “conditional” placard two days prior, according to DOH, but failed to make corrections for the follow-up inspection.

The DOH inspector on Thursday observed the following violations:

>> Live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces;

>> Numerous live and dead cockroaches within the kitchen and food storage are

See Full Page