The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has reached a settlement agreement with Kanemitsu Bakery of Kaunakakai, Molokai, for $20,000 for violations of Hawaii Revised Statutes and Hawaii Administrative Rules. DOH stated that these statutes and rules are designed to protect public health and prevent adulterated food products from being distributed and sold under poor sanitary conditions. “We expect that Kanemitsu Bakery will comply with all food safety rules and regulations,” said Gary Gill, DOH deputy director of environmental health. “It is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility to ensure that food sold to the public is safe, wholesome and uncontaminated.” DOH suspended Kanemitsu Bakery’s food establishment permit in April 2012 for numerous health code violations and for not complying with DOH orders to stop all sales of products produced at the bakery. An inspection on June 20, 2012, revealed serious deficiencies in the maintenance and manufacturing practices conducted at the facility. The bakery remained closed until mid-November 2012 after failing repeated health inspections. Administrative fines and permit suspensions are pursued when food facilities are unwilling to correct repeat violations or present imminent health threats.