The state Department of Health has issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down White Guava Cafe in Hilo “due to a roach infestation and multiple critical food safety violations.”

The restaurant, operated by AJ & Sons Catering, received a red placard Thursday and must remain closed until the DOH conducts a follow-up inspection and all critical violations are resolved, the department stated Monday in a news release.

After an initial inspection last Tuesday, the establishment — located at 54 E. Puainako St. — received a yellow “conditional” placard, and the DOH followed up with an inspection on Thursday.

During a follow-up inspection, a DOH inspector observed the following violations including: live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces; numerous live and dead cockroaches within

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