Governor Josh Green, M.D.

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

 

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

 

KENNETH S. FINK, M.D., MGA, MPH

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

 

DOH ISSUES RED PLACARD TO LEONARD JR’S HOT MALASADAS & EXPRESSO IN WAIKELE

25-129

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 29, 2025

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) authorized the reopening of Leonard Jr’s Hot Malasadas & Expresso (359 WEN) at Waikele Center, 95 Lumiʻāina St. on O‘ahu, after issuing a red placard on Oct. 28, 2025.

The food establishment, operated by Frank Leonard Rego, Jr., initially received a red placard and was shut down on Oct. 28, 2025 during a routine inspection, because a handwashing sink did not have running water available. The absence of water prevented food handlers from properly washing their hands, resulting in unsanitary conditions that pose a potential risk to public health.

A follow-up inspection was completed on the same day. Since the sink had running water available during the follow-up inspection, the critical violation was corrected. The inspector issued a yellow placard to the food establishment and allowed it to reopen. A second follow-up inspection is scheduled for Oct. 29.

The DOH Food Safety Branch protects and promotes the health of Hawai‘i residents and visitors through education of food industry workers and regulation of food establishments statewide. The branch conducts routine health inspections of food establishments where food products are prepared, manufactured, distributed, or sold.

For more information on the department’s placarding program go to the Food Safety Branch website. For more information about current establishment inspections, click here.

# # #

Media Contact:

Kristen Wong
Information Specialist
Hawai‘i State Department of Health
Mobile: 808-953-9616
Email: [email protected]