The Hawaii State Department of Health now has Hawaii restaurant inspection 
information online. Consumers can now see food safety inspection reports with descriptions of violations.
“We’re taking transparency to an entirely new level,” said Peter Oshiro, who manages the food safety inspection program. “Information from the inspection reports empowers consumers and informs their choices.”
The online information is a companion to the Hawaii State Department of Health’s placard program developed in July 2014. The program gives restaurants green,
yellow or red placards which must be posted so they are visible at the entrance of each location. Restaurants are fined for not posting them.
“Data from the inspection reports give consumers the details behind the green, yellow or red placards, which many have become accustomed to seeing near the entrances of restaurants or other places that serve food,” Oshiro said.
“Our observant inspectors are capturing every detail for their reports using established science-based criteria,” he added. “With this degree of disclosure, we believe the online reports will make restaurants and other food service organizations pay closer attention to their food safety and sanitation practices.”
There are 7,000 inspection reports in the database. About 25 percent of the locations receive a yellow card. Health officials hope the news system will improve that number.
