Eight teens rescued during multiagency child recovery operation on O‘ahu

Eight children, between the ages of 13 and 17, were rescued during a multiagency child recovery operation conducted over the past weekend on O‘ahu, known as Operation Shine the Light.

The operation was conducted during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January. Two children who recovered were reported as runaways more than one year ago, according to a news release from the Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General on Friday.

Investigations are ongoing.

“Operation Shine the Light aims to proactively identify and recover endangered youth who are at an elevated risk of assault, kidnapping, exploitation and trafficking while missing and bring them to safety,” said Amanda Leonard, coordinator of the Missing Child Center-Hawaiʻi and MAILE AMBER Alert Coordinator.

The Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General, the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, worked jointly with the Honolulu Police Department, Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, Hale Kipa, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other community partners to locate, recover and provide emergency services to endangered “runaways.”

“The recent completion of our Shine the Light initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening our collective ability to identify, protect and support our keiki at risk of trafficking,” said Elladine Olevao, acting administrator for the Department of Human Services Social Services Division. “Through close collaboration between our agency and other partner agencies, this initiative demonstrates the power of coordinated action, shared expertise and unified commitment to child safety and well-being.”

FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter said he is proud to stand alongside state and federal law enforcement partners, “to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and the shield for those who cannot protect themselves.”

“While we are proud of our collective successes during this operation, our work to protect the vulnerable never stops,” Porter said. “We remain committed to bringing light into the darkest places and ensuring every keiki in our community has the chance to grow up safe.”

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in seven of the more than 32,000 cases of children reported missing to the center in 2025 were likely victims of child sex trafficking. Of the children reported missing in 2025, who had run from the care of child welfare, 17% were likely victims of child sex trafficking. For details, click here.

The Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Missing Child Center-Hawaiʻi originally initiated Operation Shine the Light in 2020 as a cooperative effort between county, state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, centered on the recovery and protection of endangered missing foster youth who are at high risk of abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014 requires state social service agencies to report any missing or abducted child or youth in state care to both law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The law further mandates that such reports be made immediately — and no later than 24 hours — after receiving information regarding a missing or abducted child.

Community members can help to combat child abuse/neglect and child trafficking by contacting the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services’ hotlines available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

• Child Abuse and/or Neglect: 808-832-5300 (Oʻahu)
• Child Abuse and/or Neglect: Toll-free 1-888-380-3088 (Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi)
• Child Trafficking: 808-832-1999 (Oʻahu)
• Child Trafficking: Toll-free 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi)

Anyone with information regarding missing children or the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police department or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).