Health authorities close Pancho & Lefty's eatery in Kona district
Pancho & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante Reopens After Food Safety Violations
Pancho & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante in Kailua-Kona has officially reopened as of August 13, 2025, following a closure due to multiple critical food safety violations identified on August 7, 2025. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) conducted a follow-up inspection on August 12, 2025, and issued a green “pass” placard, authorizing the reopening [1][2][4].
The restaurant took several corrective actions to comply with DOH requirements. These included discarding all contaminated food products, engaging a professional pest control service, completing a deep cleaning and disinfection of all food and non-food contact surfaces, retraining employees on proper food storage techniques, ensuring handwashing stations were accessible and stocked with disposable towels, and having at least one employee with a valid Safe Food Handler certificate on duty at all times [1][4].
The DOH Food Safety Branch confirmed that all these corrective measures were satisfactorily completed before allowing the resumption of operations [1][4]. However, the initial inspection revealed several violations, such as live and dead cockroaches found on food-contact surfaces, in ready-to-eat foods, and in kitchen and food storage areas. Refrigerated foods were not separated and protected to prevent cross-contamination, and equipment, food-contact surfaces, and utensils were not clean to sight and touch [3].
The establishment, operated by Kailua-Kona Restaurants Inc., received a red placard on Thursday, indicating the need for immediate correction of critical violations. The handwashing sink was obstructed and not supplied with disposable towels, and no certified safe food handler was on-site during operations at the time of the inspection [3].
Pancho & Lefty's is required to undergo a deep cleaning and disinfection of all food- and non-food contact surfaces. A professional pest control operator must perform service at Pancho & Lefty's and submit the service report to the DOH. The restaurant must also remain closed for business until all violations have been corrected and the DOH has conducted a follow-up inspection [3].
References:
[1] Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald. (2025, August 13). Pancho & Lefty's reopens after food safety closure. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2025/08/13/pancho-lefty-reopens-after-food-safety-closure/
[2] KHON2. (2025, August 13). Pancho & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante reopens following food safety closure. Retrieved from https://khon2.com/2025/08/13/pancho-lefty-cantina-restaurante-reopens-following-food-safety-closure/
[3] Hawaii News Now. (2025, August 8). Pancho & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante closed due to food safety violations. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/08/08/pancho-lefty-cantina-restaurante-closed-due-food-safety-violations/
[4] Hawaiʻi Department of Health. (2025, August 12). Pancho & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante passes follow-up food safety inspection. Retrieved from https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/media/releases/2025/20250812-pancho-lefty-cantina-and-restaurante-passes-follow-up-food-safety-inspection/
- The health-and-wellness of their patrons is of utmost importance for Pancho & Lefty's, as they took decisive actions to address food safety issues identified by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH).
- Following these corrective measures, Pancho & Lefty's Cantina & Restaurante has resumed business, signifying a positive step forward for both the food-and-drink industry and general-news in Kailua-Kona.
- The restaurant's commitment to science, reflected in their adherence to DOH requirements, will likely have a positive impact on their overall business performance and the lifestyle of their patrons.
