It was a complaint about cigarette smoke that led to the Department of Health inspection which resulted in the temporary closure of the Fonuea Restaurant behind the AP Lutali Executive Office Building.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua told KHJ News that people complained that the restaurant is located right next to the smoking area for the EOB and cigarette smoke.
An inspection of the restaurant was conducted Thursday which led to findings of other conditions which Motusa said are not in compliance with the restaurant’s business license and health regulations.
According to the Health Director, the business license indicates that the restaurant is to be a food wagon which is not permanent but moves around to different locations. 
In addition, the restaurant also doesn’t have its own bathroom and customers use the EOB bathroom.
But why are these deficiencies just being brought up now when the restaurant has been operating from its present location since January 8?
Motusa said the temporary closure of the restaurant is due to findings from last week’s inspection and pointed out that another official was in charge of inspecting the facility before it opened in January.
He said he is awaiting a meeting with the Director of Administrative Services Malaepule Fuega Moliga to ascertain the issue about use of the EOB bathrooms and what to do about the restaurant being too close to the EOB smoking area.
According to the director, until these issues are addressed the Fonuea Restaurant will remain closed.
The restaurant is a family business owned by Mrs. Eseneiaso Liu, Director of Human Resources and her husband Siakisone Liu and is an extension of their catering business.
