Disappeared News

a bit distressing, but perhaps we should think about how sanitation is not observed in most restaurants and markets -- not just Chinatown. There is a long, historical tradition in Hawai'i of attacking the Chinese and Chinatown as being unsanitary or singling this group out for special treatment. there is also a long tradition in medicine about the ultrahazards of living in the "tropics." i think a more empirically based review of this issue would be to look at it systematically in all areas where DOH has failed as opposed to narrowing the problem to Chinatown or the open air markets because of the ease of access. the kingdom/republic/territorial animosity towards the Chinese came out through taking about how they "caused" the rat problem. but historians have shown that it was really magical thinking and not science that assigned the problem to the Chinese. i remember mayor Cravalho on maui insisting that "hippies" were spreading hepatitis and then it turned out to be coming from a poi factory... in this case, i think the problem is way more systemic. i have witnessed the filth in many local restaurants' kitchens and also in the national supermarket chains. the problem is not Chinatown, the problem is DOH, lack of funding and/or interest.
 

Good background, thank you. And yes, the bottom line is that DOH probably doesn't even go outside after 4:30 p.m. Whatever. They are not doing their job.

This was just an opening to the issue, which as you have said is wider. I think the reason restaurant windows are covered over at night is so we can't see what really goes on in there. There was a case in the news in New York City where rats were observed in large numbers through the window of some famous restaurant. It became a scandle.

Help make this a scandle, call/write newspapers, TV, or go out with your own camera and document what you find.

And thanks as usual, for your apropro comments.
 

It is not only a candle shaped like and "S" but a real scandal, to boot!
 

Good job, Larry!

:)
N
 

This isn't a scandal. How is this a scandal? Do you really think our laws, etc or being cleaner will stop rats/roaches, etc from making homes of specific areas? Of course not! It's called coexisting with other species. You probably don't see it, but your own house is infested with roaches, pests etc that HIDE during the day and come out at night - you just happened to catch a normal activity. I really don't see the big deal. Rats probably crawl over the vegetables at farms, in the warehouses where they are stored, in the cargo box when they are transported - you just don't see it. I think this is really just delving into the issue of people having peace of mind by NOT seeing what's REALLY THERE. Seriously paranoid humans, get over yourselves. This planet isn't just for you. You can't contain these "pests" just because they are dirty. Clean your food and cook it! Simple!
 

excellent! yer right! It ain't a scandal, nor a scandle (whatever that is). It really is just daily (nightly) life in C town. as it has been since Chinatown was first created/built, destroyed in the fire and built again!
 

I am a local living on the mainland, who plans to return to my home State. When I hear/read of something not typical of Hawaii, I must provde my input.

Poor sanitation is not a racial issue. Sanitation concerns are issues of responsibility of everyone including local vendors, agencies, community, state, country and worldwide governing bodies (if you will, which without question, are primary health and safety issues that should be identified, addressed, implemented and monitored by the people, assigned agencies and regulatory agencies who are delegated and paid to enforce ALL aspects of sanitiation. While Hawaii is a mecca of year round beautiful, warm, inviting temperatures and environment, it is also subject to issues of health and sanitation to include vermin, infestation and bacteria. All of these "problems" in the United States, including our beautiful state of Hawaii, are, to my knowledge, have MANDATORY, governing laws, regulations and governing agencies that are staffed and paid to their assigned responsibilities.

Hawaii lawmakers, governing agencies and vendors, like Hawaii's culture, tend to be "laid back" and lax about issues such as the current Chinatown sanitation problem. The solution is the same as "housekeeping". Your house, you follow the rules to keep it clean. You scrub using appropriate anti-bacterial cleaning agents, sweep, mop, discard garbage appropriately, store according to state/health standards, keep and abide by health and sanitation checklists, hire (if needed) help to maintain ALL issues and concerns of safety, sanitation and health. "MAKE NICE, BRA'!!!" Is this so hard to do?

Close up vendors and agencies that do not conform to rules and regulations that deter negative impact to the safety and health of the citizens of Hawaii. Regulate all responsible agencies and organizations in place that are paid to do their job effectively. Enforcement of the safety and health of the people of our beautiful, wonderful State is non-negotiable, is not a "sit down", "talk story" job. It is a 24-hour, 365 days "run around and check up and enforce" responsibility. ENFORCE all aspects and levels of organizations!!! Board member, Councilmen, Directors, Chiefs, Supervisors, Legislators, shopkeepers, restauranteurs, hospitals, health care facilities, clinics, "whatevahs", are not excused from the day to day oversight and enforcement of superior health and sanitation standards.

If needed, reorganize, reassign staff, fire, hire and/or reinstate employees. Enure that all employees, staff and agencies read, understand all pertinent regulations abd are trained to ensure the implementation thereof at all times.

ENFORCE, ENFORCE, ENFORCE!!!!!!!

We neither want e coli, Hanta Virus Syndrome, roaches, rats and mongooses to become the symbols of nor associated with our beautiful State. END OF DISCUSSION. IS "KEEPING A CLEAN HOUSE" SO DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND AND ACCOMPLISH? PEOPLE ARE HIRED AND PAID TO MAKE SURE IT ALL HAPPENS. GET WITH IT!!! STOP THE "BLAME GAME". IT'S EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU SEE A DIRTY, UNSANITARY FACILITY, LET THE VENDOR/OWNER/AGENCY, INFORM THEM OF THE UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS. IF NOTHING HAPPENS, REPORT THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Joan Kim
 

Joan, thanks for your comment.

Unfortunately, the Dept. of Health refuses to inspect the other markets on its own. At least one is city owned and may (or may not) have similar problems. But they have a fence, and it's not possible to take videos of that one through a window. It would take inspectors going over there one night.

I do like the DOH's approach to educating vendors. They cited the vendor in the video but did not fine the vendor. Instead, they worked with vendors to clean up the market. That's a good thing, in my book.