KAILUA-KONA — Genki Sushi at Kona Commons remains closed two weeks after the state shuttered the restaurant following complaints of cockroaches in the eatery.
No date for re-inspection of the establishment has been set, meaning the Genki Sushi location will remain closed for the foreseeable future, the state Department of Health confirmed Wednesday.
“They will contact us when they feel that they are ready for re-inspection, but have not given us an anticipated schedule or date of completion yet,” said DOH Spokeswoman Anne Koethe.
The restaurant’s doors were locked and a red “CLOSED” placard was posted May 22 following a state health inspection prompted by multiple complaints of cockroaches seen inside the establishment. The location failed to pass follow-up inspections conducted May 24 and May 28.
An inspection that was set for Friday, May 31, was canceled at the request of Genki Sushi to allow for more time to clean and treat the establishment.
Genki Sushi representatives said Wednesday they had no additional comment when posed questions about when the Kailua-Kona restaurant could reopen and the status of its employees, including whether they’ve been able to work, and, if not, if they qualify for unemployment benefits.
The company instead referred the newspaper to a statement it released Friday, May 31, from Genki Sushi USA Inc. Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Mary Hansen that the Kailua-Kona eatery is working to take necessary actions to ensure it is in compliance with all state Department of Health food safety requirements, “while also meeting the high standards for cleanliness and sanitation that we set for all of our restaurant locations.”
“We regret the continued delay, but we want to make sure our customers are assured of a clean restaurant when we reopen,” Hansen’s statement continued.