Black Rock Pizza in Kailua-Kona reopens after health closure

Black Rock Pizza in Kailua-Kona reopened after state health inspectors cleared the restaurant on Monday, July 13, following a shutdown triggered by an active rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions at the Alii Drive location.

The Hawaii Department of Health issued a red placard on July 8 to Black Rock Pizza #2 Kona, LLC at 75-5813 Alii Drive after inspectors found hazards serious enough to require immediate closure. The department said abundant fresh and old rodent feces were found throughout the restaurant, including in food and on food-contact surfaces, along with food that was not stored to prevent contamination, an obstructed handwashing sink, and physical facilities that were not maintained and cleaned.

To reopen, the restaurant had to discard contaminated food products, hire a licensed pest control operator, submit documentation to the department, seal holes in walls and ceilings, and deep-clean food-contact and non-food-contact surfaces. After a second follow-up inspection on Monday, the Food Safety Branch determined the required corrective actions were complete and issued a green pass placard.

That placard matters on West Hawaii’s busiest dining corridor because it is the state’s public signal about whether a restaurant is operating with serious unresolved hazards or has corrected them. Under Hawaii’s color-coded placard program, which began on February 24, 2014, green indicates no more than one critical violation on a routine inspection. Red is reserved for imminent health hazards, including rodent or vermin infestation and severe unsanitary conditions, and it must stay posted until a follow-up inspection shows the hazard no longer exists.

The Health Department says the placard system is meant to reduce foodborne illness, increase compliance, and inform the public about the latest inspection results. Its food safety branch also maintains a current inspection portal so diners can check updated reports before choosing where to eat.

For Kailua-Kona customers, the immediate takeaway is straightforward: the pizzeria is operating again under a pass rating after the state said the closure order had been fully addressed. The reopening shows how quickly a restaurant can be forced to stop service when inspectors find hazards, and how quickly it can return once the required fixes are finished and verified.