DOH News Release – OHCA Issues $1,500 Administrative Penalty Against Romeo Valdez of Hale Lehua Care Home

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

OHCA ISSUES $1,500 ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY AGAINST ROMEO VALDEZ OF HALE LEHUA CARE HOME

26-021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2026

HONOLULU - The Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) has issued a Notice and Finding of Violation and Order (NOVO) against Romeo Valdez of Hale Lehua Care Home due to enforcement action for serious and substantiative violations of Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules (HAR) 11-100.1.

The DOH received a facility application for an Adult Residential Care Home (ARCH) on June 18, 2025 and included in the application were three fraudulent, forged, or counterfeit documents.

Romeo Valdez has been fined a $1,500 penalty based on three fraudulent, forged, and/or counterfeit documents ($500 each document.)

Romeo Valdez has 20 days from the date of receipt of the NOVO to submit a written request for a hearing, or the order will become final and enforceable after the 20-day period. The DOH Office of Health Care Assurance, State Licensing Section licenses Adult Residential Care Homes to ensure the health, safety and welfare of individuals residing in healthcare facilities.

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