State health officials said Wednesday that Blue Water Shrimp and Seafood Market at Ala Moana Center’s Makai Market food court passed inspection, earning a green placard and the right to reopen.
The restaurant reopened for business Tuesday, four days after the state Department of Health ordered it to shut down for food safety violations.
“They did pass their inspection yesterday,” Janice Okubo, Health Department public information officer, said Wednesday.
“The inspector took down the red placard and posted the green placard in its place,” Okubo said, and the restaurant opened at about 10:45 a.m.
Blue Water Shrimp previously was found to have “chronic temperature violations,” as foods that are required by law to be stored at temperatures below 41 degrees were not being properly refrigerated. The red placard was issued Friday and the restaurant was ordered to close.
As of Tuesday morning the restaurant’s management was found to have made all of the necessary corrections, Okubo said.
“They do still have a penalty fine of $9,000 they need to pay, unless they request a hearing to contest it,” she said, adding that at this time the department has received no such request.
Paalaa Kai Bakery in Waialua, the first red placard recipient in state history, was shut down Oct. 7, then was found to have reopened without authorization and fined $22,000.
There has been no change in the bakery’s status, Okubo said.
Food establishments cited and fined have 20 days from the date of the day they receive a Notice of Violation in which to make payment or request a hearing to contest the notice.
“To date, (the department) has not received a request for a hearing or a re-inspection” from the bakery, Okubo said.
Enforcement of the green, yellow and red placard system began July 21, 2014.
