After shutting down a L&L Hawaiian Barbecue on Maui for a cockroach infestation on May 12, the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch issued a green “pass” placard to the establishment on May 23. DOH determined the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in the Maui Marketplace Food Court at 270 Dairy Road in Kahului had eliminated all cockroaches and repaired all harborage spaces since the initial routine inspection.

DOH’s Maui Food Safety Branch initially issued a red “closed” placard to the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, which is operated by Maui L & L Food Inc., on May 12 during a routine follow-up inspection.

Before that, on May 10, DOH conducted a routine inspection, issuing a yellow “conditional” placard after the discovery of cockroaches. The inspector told the eatery to have professional pest control treatment completed before the follow-up inspection. 

However, during the follow-up inspection on May 12, the inspector observed more cockroaches, including roaches that were laying egg cases within the walk-in refrigerator and freezer door seals. According to DOH, it was an active, breeding roach population, which posed an imminent health hazard.  

On May 23, DOH said the L&L at Maui Marketplace Food Court worked with a professional pest control company to complete multiple treatments and implement a pest monitoring program to help prevent future infestations. The state agency is requiring the plate lunch spot to continue to work with the pest control company to conduct weekly pest control treatments and monitoring for the next three weeks; and also to ensure that the person in charge continues to show control over procedures for pest control. 

Editor’s note: The article has been updated with the reopening of the restaurant. (May 29, 2025)