8 Missing Children, 2 of Whom Were Reported Missing Over a Year Ago, Have Been Found By Toria Sheffield

Eight missing children were recently recovered during a joint state and federal operation in Hawaii.

The children, all between the ages of 13 and 17, were located as part of a multiagency effort called Operation Shine the Light, per a joint press release from the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General, the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published on Jan. 23. 

A representative for the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General confirmed to PEOPLE that the children were safely recovered separately in different locations across the island of Oʻahu on Jan. 16 and Jan. 17.

They were returned and reunited with their legal guardians, the rep added.

The Hawaii DHS and the FBI did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Investigations are ongoing.

Operation Shine the Light was originally initiated in 2020 and was specifically created to locate at-risk and endangered youth in Oʻahu through interagency cooperation, per the release.

“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.

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“This initiative demonstrates the power of coordinated action, shared expertise and unified commitment to child safety and well-being,” added Elladine Olevao, acting administrator for the DHS Social Services Division.

The operation took place during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidential-designated time to raise awareness and educate the public on signs of trafficking.

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According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), one in seven of the more than 32,000 missing children cases reported to NCMEC in 2025 were likely victims of child sex trafficking. Additionally, 17% of children who ran away from foster homes or state care specifically were likely sex trafficking victims. 

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