Makittii Hawaii, a Japanese buffet located at 2380 Kuhio Ave., abruptly closed Sunday night after failing to get a lease extension from its landlord, Queen Emma Land Co.

“Their lease expired on Feb. 29 and was not renewed,” said Queen Emma Land spokesman Cedric Yamanaka. “No decision has been made on any plans for redevelopment, but we are currently exploring alternatives.”

A sign is now posted in Makittii’s window directing customers to its sister business, Crab House Makino, which is located at 1910 Ala Moana Blvd. in Canterbury Place. Makino replaced the long-running Todai buffet.

Jeff Roldan, general manager of Crab House Makino, said Makittii was interested in renewing its lease.

“The restaurant was doing well because of its location,” Roldan said. “We’ve heard that they are going to break the restaurant down.”

Roldan said Makittii was able to prepare for the closure and make arrangements to transfer all employees who wanted to stay with the company.

“We were understaffed at Crab House Makino. The people coming from Makittii are here working now, from the servers to the busers to the kitchen folks,” Roldan said.

Roldan said Crab House Makino is building a stage for Makittii’s former Polynesian dancers.

“We’re about 75 percent done,” he said. “Once the dance show opens and we have everything in place, we’ll be changing our name to Makino.”

The state Department of Health said it will continue working with Makittii to recoup fines. Prior to its closing, Makittii had several recent run-ins with the department’s Sanitation Branch. In November, Makittii Hawaii was shut down by Health Department inspectors after multiple violations.

Spokeswoman Janice Okubo said the department reduced the $35,000 fine to $15,000 in December.

“This allowed us to avoid a costly hearing and obtain correction of all violations,” Okubo said.

Makittii agreed to pay six monthly installments of $2,500, she said.

“They are up to date with payments in January and February of $5,000 paid so far to the state,” Okubo said. “We will be checking with our deputy attorney general on next steps if needed.”