News Releases from Department of Health

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a voluntary recall alert by Gibson Farms of bulk California shelled walnuts, organic light halves and pieces, because of potential E. coli contamination. The recalled product may have been distributed to local natural food retailers in Hawaiʻi ...
Read More Department of Health issues a recall alert for Gibson Farms bulk Organic California Shelled Walnuts due to potential Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli) contamination

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has disapproved the Navy’s Red Hill Consolidated Groundwater Sampling Program. The DOH ordered the Navy to implement a modified version of the program, which includes additional conditions relating to groundwater monitoring to support the Navy’s request to reduce the amount of water being discharged into Hālawa Stream ...
Read More DOH rejects Navy’s Red Hill consolidated groundwater sampling plan due to insufficient monitoring

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red placard and immediately shut down La Birria, lunch wagon license plate number 740 TRZ, on April 29, 2024 during an inspection for operating without a valid permit. The lunch wagon is no longer using its support kitchen located at 98-1005 Moanalua Rd. in ʻAiea. ...
Read More DOH issues red placard to La Birria (lunch wagon) in ʻAiea, Hawai‘i

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) and its partners are joining together in the month of May for Mental Health Month to encourage Hawaiʻi residents to foster acceptance of mental health care and end the prejudice and discrimination that create barriers to seeking treatment. DOH Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD), ...
Read More DOH CELEBRATES MENTAL HEALTH MONTH IN MAY

WAILUKU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Maui Food Safety Branch issued Takamiya Market a green “Pass” placard and approved its reopening after a second follow-up inspection on April 26, 2024. The establisment, located at 359 N. Market Street in Wailuku, is operated by Takamiya Market Inc.  At the first follow-up inspection on April ...
Read More The Department of Health reopens Takamiya Market 

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued Alyssandra Lumpia Express a green placard and approved its reopening after a follow-up inspection found that all critical food safety violations were corrected. Alyssandra Lumpia Express, located at 98-199 Kamehameha Highway, ʻAiea, received a red placard on April 25, 2024 and was immediately ...
Read More DOH approves reopening of Alyssandra Lumpia Express in ʻAiea

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed one additional case of pertussis (also known as whooping cough) in a third distinct region on Hawaiʻi Island which is unrelated to previous cases. This new case closely follows 10 recently reported cases and brings the total to 11 pertussis cases on the Island from March ...
Read More DOH confirms additional case of whooping cough on Hawai‘i Island

Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch allowed Ocean Club at Haliʻi Kai to reopen, issuing a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection on April 23, 2024. The food establishment is located at 69-1029 Nawahine Place in Waikoloa and is operated by Castle Resorts & Hotels Inc.  DOH required ...
Read More Department of Health reopens Ocean Club at Haliʻi Kai in Waikoloa

Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued a red “Closed” placard and immediately shut down Ocean Club at Haliʻi Kai on April 19, 2024 due to an active rodent infestation, contaminated food products and unsanitary conditions within the facility. The establishment, located at 69-1029 Nawahine Place in Waikoloa, is operated ...
Read More Department of Health shuts down Ocean Club at Haliʻi Kai in Waikoloa for an active rodent infestation

Wailuku, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “Closed” placard and immediately shut down Takamiya Market on April 19, 2024 during a routine inspection for a severe cockroach infestation. The establishment, located at 359 N. Market Street in Wailuku, is operated by Takamiya Market Inc. During the ...
Read More DOH Shuts Down Takamiya Market in Wailuku for Cockroach Infestation

HONOLULU – A fire at the Hammerhead Metal Recycling in Puʻunēnē, Maui is generating dense smoke in surrounding areas. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Clean Air Branch advises residents and visitors on Maui Island — especially those suffering from pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema — to take precautionary measures or leave ...
Read More DOH issues smoke advisory related to fire at Hammerhead Metal Recycling on Maui

HONOLULU –PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in water samples collected at the Wai‘ele Wells 1 and 2 Chlorinator, Maui Business Park water system (Public Water System HI0000261, owned by Maui Business Park Phase II Association) in Kahului of the island of Maui. This water system is non-transient and non-community, and primarily serves approximately ...
Read More PFAS Detected in Maui Business Park System 

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) announces a Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Comprehensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for 911 Ground Ambulance Transport for Kauaʻi and Maui Counties. The RFPs, from DOH’s the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch (EMSIPSB), replace the RFPs that were canceled on Oct. 23, 2023 after ...
Read More DOH announces RFPs for ground ambulance services for Kaua‘i and Maui Counties  

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) announces a Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Comprehensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for 911 Ground Ambulance Transport for Kauaʻi and Maui Counties. The RFPs, from DOH’s the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch (EMSIPSB), replace the RFPs that were canceled on Oct. 23, 2023 after ...
Read More DOH announces RFPs for ground ambulance services for Kaua‘i and Maui Counties [UPDATED 4/15/2024]

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a travel-related dengue virus case in Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu. Upon investigation, DOH found conditions that could increase the risk of transmission. Vector control teams have responded and will continue to be active in the Hale‘iwa area. The public is urged to take additional precautions to protect themselves ...
Read More Department of Health encourages public to take added precautions in response to travel-related dengue case in Hale‘iwa, O‘ahu

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) reviewed test results from multiple monitoring activities conducted by state agencies and community partners to confirm that the coastal waters around Lahaina are safe for ocean recreation. DOH has reviewed the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) efforts that spanned five sampling events since October 2023, the Surfrider Foundation’s ...
Read More Lahaina Coastal Water Quality Reports Show Area Safe for Ocean Recreation

WAILUKU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch allowed King’s Chinese BBQ 5 (DBA General’s Chinese BBQ) to reopen, issuing a green “Pass” placard during a follow-up inspection on April 8, 2024. An initial complaint inspection conducted on April 4, 2024, confirmed evidence of an active cockroach infestation resulting in the DOH ...
Read More Department of Health reopens King’s Chinese BBQ 5

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is investigating two confirmed cases of pertussis (also known as whooping cough) and identified eight probable cases in two separate households without travel-related exposures on Hawaiʻi Island. Both households have school-age children that attend local schools but are in geographically distinct areas of the island. Currently, no ...
Read More DOH investigating two confirmed cases of whooping cough on Hawaiʻi Island

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has received report of a travel-related dengue case on O‘ahu. The person had traveled to a region where dengue is known to be spread. Symptoms of dengue typically may be mild or severe and include fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, and body aches. Symptoms typically last two to ...
Read More Department of Health reports recent travel-related dengue virus case on O‘ahu

HONOLULU — The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted today to confirm the appointment of Valerie Kato to serve as Deputy Director for the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH), where she joins Director Kenneth Fink, M.D. “Val brings knowledge, leadership and energy to DOH and we are very fortunate to have her on the team,” Director ...
Read More Valerie Kato confirmed deputy director of DOH