10 missing children and youth on Oahu recovered through ‘Operation Shine the Light’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A multi-agency operation, called “Operation Shine the Light,” successfully recovered 10 endangered missing children and youth on Oahu over the weekend.

The effort, led by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii Department of Human Services, also resulted in several arrests and investigations into child victimization.

The recovered individuals, ranging in age from 13 to 18, were reported as runaways and were considered to be at high risk of abuse, exploitation, and/or trafficking.

This initiative not only located the vulnerable children and provided them with essential services, it simultaneously deterred other predators.

Operation Shine the Light involved a large coalition of agencies, including the Honolulu Police Department, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Division, Hale Kipa Statewide Trafficking Victim Assistance Program, Oahu First Circuit Family Court, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, alongside other community partners.

According to the NCMEC, one in seven of the more than 29,000 children reported missing in 2024 were likely victims of child sex trafficking. The number rises to 18% for children who had run from child welfare care.

Federal law, specifically the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014, mandates that state social service agencies immediately report any missing or abducted child in state care to both law enforcement and NCMEC.

Operation Shine the Light was originally launched in 2020 by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Missing Child Center-Hawaii.

It serves as a cooperative model focused on the recovery and protection of endangered missing foster youth.

“Operation Shine the Light is a multidisciplinary task force model unique to our state where compassion, focus, attention, professionalism and preparedness all come together to bring endangered keiki home safely,” said MCCH Coordinator Amanda Leonard. “There is no waiting period to report a missing, abducted or runaway child to your local police department.”

Community members are urged to help in the fight against child abuse and trafficking by contacting the Hawaii Department of Human Services hotlines:

• Child Abuse or Neglect: (808) 832-5300 (Oahu)
• Child Abuse aor Neglect: (888) 380-3088 (Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)
• Child Trafficking: (808) 832-1999 (Oahu)
• Child Trafficking: (888) 398-1188 (Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)

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

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