News Releases from Department of Health

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaiʻi — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch authorized the reopening of Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina & Restaurante, issuing a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection on August 12, 2025. 

The food establishment, located at 75-5725 Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona is operated by Kailua-Kona Restaurants Inc.    

DOH required the food establishment to complete the following corrective actions: 

• Discard all contaminated food products;
• Have a professional pest control operator perform service and submit the service report to the DOH;
• Complete a deep clean and disinfection of all food- and non-food contact surfaces;
• Retrain employees on proper food storage requirements;
• Ensure all handwashing stations are unobstructed and equipped with disposable towels;
• Ensure at least one employee with a valid Safe Food Handler certificate is on duty during operational hours.

During the follow-up inspection, DOH determined that all corrective actions had been completed.

The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.

For more information on the department’s placarding program, go to https://health.hawaii.gov/san/.

To view restaurant inspection reports, go to https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/soh.

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