State Health Department workers will be back at a Chinatown market this week to see how vendors are tackling a rat problem and give them tips on what more needs to be done.

Vector control workers and food safety inspectors visited Kekaulike Marketplace on Tuesday for a walk-through with its property manager and to catalog what vendors are doing to address a rat problem brought to light by a stomach-turning video posted online.

Several food safety violations were noted, which vendors are working to address, said Sanitation Branch program manager Rex Mitsunaga. He did not have an immediate account on how many violations were found, but said vendors are being given time to fix the issues.

He also said things have improved at Kekaulike since the video came to the Health Department's attention in early December. "They're cleaning up a lot better," Mitsunaga said.

But, he added, "They still have to be more vigilant."

He said of greatest concern is making sure rodents aren't able to get into the meat and produce market from outside through piping, holes in the walls or other entry points. He said vendors are also putting out traps and taking preventive measures, including improving how food is stored. "They're still working on it," he said. "They are showing improvement."

Vector control workers will return to the market this week to see how the problem is being dealt with. Food sanitation inspectors are set to go back to Kekaulike in early January.

The rat video that sparked the Health Department involvement, and has deterred some customers from shopping in Chinatown, was shot by Internet blogger and political watchdog Larry Geller. It shows rats crawling out from under tarps and over produce at Kekaulike.

The Health Department is overseeing the problem as it deals with staffing concerns.

There are just nine food safety inspectors islandwide for some 5,700 food establishments.

One is charged with all establishments in Downtown and Chinatown.

Meanwhile, the state's Vector Control division, which helps property owners with pest control, is being decimated by DOH layoffs. In January, the program will lose 36 employees.

"The program has been severely downsized," said DOH environmental health services administrator Jerry Haruno. "Whatever capabilities they have would be extremely limited."

Mitsunaga said the six remaining vector control workers will move under him and be tasked with working side-by-side with food safety inspectors at establishments and on key sites, including airports, rather than with the public on pest control problems and prevention.

Meanwhile, Mitsunaga said the department is considering expanding an education campaign for Kekaulike vendors to other Chinatown establishments. For the campaign, DOH is partnering with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce so vendors can get information in their own languages. DOH and the chamber will put on two food safety workshops for Kekaulike vendors in December and January, and is handing out fliers with food safety information.