8 Missing Children Found Safe After Major Federal Operation

Eight missing children have been safely recovered in Hawaii following a coordinated state and federal operation aimed at locating endangered youth.

The teens, ranging in age from 13 to 17, were found on the island of Oʻahu during a multiagency effort known as Operation Shine the Light, according to a joint press release issued January 23 by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, the Hawaii Department of Human Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities said the children were located over the weekend of January 16. Two of them had been reported missing for more than a year after being classified as runaways. Officials did not specify whether the children were found together or at separate locations, and investigations related to their cases remain ongoing.

Operation Shine the Light was first launched in 2020 and was designed to bring together local, state, and federal agencies to locate at-risk youth on Oʻahu who may be vulnerable to serious harm.

“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–Hawaii and MAILE AMBER Alert Coordinator.

Elladine Olevao, acting administrator for the DHS Social Services Division, said the operation highlights what can be achieved through collaboration.

“This initiative demonstrates the power of coordinated action, shared expertise and unified commitment to child safety and well-being,” Olevao said.

The recoveries took place during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time designated to raise awareness about human trafficking and educate the public on recognizing warning signs.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in seven of the more than 32,000 missing children cases reported to the organization in 2025 were likely linked to child sex trafficking. The risk is even higher for children who run away from foster care or state placements, with an estimated 17% believed to be trafficking victims.

Officials encourage anyone with information about missing or exploited children to contact local law enforcement or call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.

While details surrounding the eight recovered teens have not yet been released, authorities say the operation underscores the importance of vigilance, community involvement, and rapid interagency response when children go missing.