Kenichi Pacific Restaurant Shut Down for Multiple Food Safety Violations

The Hawaii Department of Health closed Kenichi Pacific, a sushi, steak, and seafood fusion restaurant in Kailua-Kona, on Wednesday after a food inspector found several critical violations during a routine inspection. The restaurant, operated by Dragonfly Hospitality Group LLC at the Keauhou Shopping Center, will remain closed until all violations are resolved and a follow-up inspection is conducted. The inspector discovered live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces, numerous live and dead cockroaches in the kitchen and food storage areas, and unsanitary conditions throughout the facility.

Key Takeaways:

• Kenichi Pacific, a sushi, steak, and seafood fusion restaurant in Kailua-Kona, was shut down by the Hawaii Department of Health due to multiple food safety violations.
• The restaurant was closed on Wednesday after a routine inspection revealed critical violations, including live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces and unsanitary conditions throughout the facility.
• The health department is requiring Kenichi Pacific to discard all contaminated food products, hire a professional pest control operator, and thoroughly clean and disinfect all food-and non-food contact surfaces.
• The restaurant must also remove unnecessary equipment and supplies to prevent harborage sites and conduct maintenance and repair on the mechanical dishwasher and refrigerators.
• The health department will conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure that all critical violations are resolved before allowing the restaurant to reopen.
• Kenichi Pacific is operated by Dragonfly Hospitality Group LLC at the Keauhou Shopping Center.

Statistics:

• The restaurant was shut down for multiple food safety violations, including the presence of live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces.
• The number of live and dead cockroaches found in the kitchen and food storage areas was not specified.
• The health department requires Kenichi Pacific to discard all contaminated food products.
• The restaurant must hire a professional pest control operator and submit a report to the DOH.

Sources:

• "Hawaii health officials shut down Kailua-Kona restaurant for food safety violations." - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 2025.
• Kenichi Pacific restaurant website - dragonflyhospitalitygroup.com (no date).