State shuts down Ala Moana restaurant for interfering with inspection

A restaurant in the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk at Ala Moana Center was shut down for interfering with a state Department of Health inspection to follow up on food safety violations.

DOH officials said in a press release that it has posted a red “closed” placard at Mazesoba Ono-ya, saying the restaurant on Monday refused to cooperate when the department tried to follow-up on eight outstanding violations. The restaurant was first cited during a routine inspection on Oct. 19, when it received a yellow “conditional pass” placard.

“Interfering with or refusal to cooperate with Department of Health regulatory staff during a food safety inspection is grounds for immediate permit suspension, and the posting of a red or closed placard,” said Peter Oshiro, Sanitation Branch program manager in a press release. “Uncorrected critical food safety violations place customers at risk of food illness. Following food safety rules designed to prevent foodborne illness is an obligation for any business that profits from food service and sales.”

The department said the closure of Mazesoba Ono-ya and suspension of its food service permit will remain in effect until “the owners meet with the DOH Sanitation Branch and agree to fully cooperate with regulatory officials during any inspection of the food establishment as required by law.”