HONOLULU (KHON2) — A multi-agency search party just recently rescued 10 endangered missing youth from ages 13 to 18 who were labeled as “runaways.”
During Operation Shine a Light, multiple arrests were made in the discovery of these children, with the investigation still ongoing.
The agencies involved in the search were HPD, 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, Oʻahu First Circuit Family Court and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Operation Shine a Light began in 2020, founded by the Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Missing Children Center-Hawaii.
The mission is to recover missing children and youth across Oʻahu and provide them with a safe place to receive care and essential services.
County, State, federal agencies and nonprofit organizations came together on this operation to protect and save youth who are in danger of abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
“I want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of every child in our community,” said Interim HPD Chief Rade Vanic. “The Honolulu Police Department stands united with our partners at the Department of Human Services and other agencies to swiftly locate and protect endangered keiki from harm. Through collaboration, vigilance and compassion, we will continue to shine a light on the vulnerabilities facing our youth and work tirelessly to ensure they are safe, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.”
In 2024, there were over 29,000 cases of children reported missing. One in seven of those children was likely involved in child sex trafficking, reported the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Child sex trafficking can appear in many ways such as:
- Familial trafficking: Child is trafficked by a family member.
- Nonfamilial trafficking: Child is trafficked by a non-related individual.
- Gang-controlled trafficking: A child is trafficked by someone in a gang or a group of gang members.
- Buyer-perpetrated trafficking: Child is being trafficked without the said trafficker. The buyer leverages weaknesses in return for sexual exploitation.
Authorities want to encourage anyone with information on missing children or reports of child abuse and neglect to contact their local police department or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
Here is a list to call at the Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services for hotline services:
- Child Abuse and/or Neglect: 808-832-5300 (Oʻahu).
- Child Abuse and/or Neglect: Toll-free 1-888-380-3088 (Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi).
- Child Trafficking: 808-832-1999 (Oʻahu).
- Child Trafficking: Toll-free 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kauaʻi).
All these numbers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.