OHCA Issues $1,500 Penalty Against Romeo Valdez for Violations

news

Filed March 4th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health's Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) issued a $1,500 administrative penalty against Romeo Valdez of Hale Lehua Care Home for submitting three fraudulent, forged, or counterfeit documents. Valdez has 20 days to request a hearing.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) has issued a Notice and Finding of Violation and Order (NOVO) against Romeo Valdez, operator of Hale Lehua Care Home. The enforcement action stems from the submission of three fraudulent, forged, or counterfeit documents as part of a facility application for an Adult Residential Care Home (ARCH). Consequently, Romeo Valdez has been fined $1,500, with $500 assessed for each fraudulent document.

Romeo Valdez has 20 days from receipt of the NOVO to submit a written request for a hearing. Failure to do so will result in the order becoming final and enforceable. This action highlights the importance of accurate documentation in healthcare facility applications and the penalties for submitting falsified information, underscoring the DOH's commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of residents in licensed healthcare facilities.

What to do next

Review application documentation for authenticity and compliance with HAR 11-100.1.
Ensure all submitted documents for facility applications are genuine and accurate.
Be aware of the 20-day window for requesting a hearing upon receipt of a NOVO.

Penalties

$1,500 administrative penalty ($500 per fraudulent document)

Source document (simplified)

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

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

Posted on Mar 4, 2026 in Newsroom 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.