Federal and state authorities have announced that a joint operation in Hawaii led to the rescue of 10 missing children and teens earlier this month.
The successful bust, which also secured “several” arrests, marks another major victory in the Trump administration’s nationwide anti-trafficking efforts.
The FBI’s Honolulu office revealed on X that “Operation Shine the Light” safely recovered the children, who ranged in age from 13 to 18.
The operation was conducted with state and local law enforcement.
“Several arrests were made, child victims were identified, and investigations are ongoing,” the FBI said.
The statement adds that the mission also aims to “provide essential services and care” while deterring criminals from preying on vulnerable youth.
🚨BREAKING: FBI Honolulu, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement and community partners, assisted in the safe location and recoveries of 10 children and youth as part of Operation Shine the Light. In addition, Several arrests were made, child victims were identified… pic.twitter.com/AVER9sQ63p
— FBI Honolulu (@FBIHonolulu) October 23, 2025
According to the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office, the children were found across Oahu, where authorities have reported an uptick in missing and runaway youth.
Officials did not specify how many arrests were made or the exact nature of the charges.
As of Friday morning, 26 children were still listed as missing statewide by the Hawaii Department of Human Services.
Federal-State Partnership Leads to Key Breakthroughs
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez praised the multi-agency collaboration, crediting the combined efforts of federal, military, and local partners.
“I want to acknowledge and thank all our dedicated federal, military, state, and county law enforcement and community partners whose collaboration and tireless efforts made this mission a success,” Lopez said.
The coordinated rescue falls under the 2014 Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, which requires state agencies to report missing or abducted children to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) within 24 hours.
According to NCMEC, approximately 18% of missing children nationwide in 2024 were “likely victims” of sex trafficking.
Growing Concern Over Runaways and Online Exploitation
Experts say the reasons behind runaway cases are complex and often connected to grooming or manipulation by older individuals.
“The reasons why children run away are multifaceted,” said Amanda Leonard, coordinator for Missing Child Center-Hawaii, in an interview with KHON-TV.
“They may have a substance abuse issue.
“They may have an older boyfriend or girlfriend.
“They may have met someone online.”
Trump Administration Expands Nationwide Operations
The Hawaii operation comes as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to dismantle human trafficking and child exploitation networks across the country.
During a White House event last week, FBI Director Kash Patel said federal authorities have rescued 5,400 children and arrested 28,000 violent criminals so far this year.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump reported that since January 20, more than 1,700 child predators have been arrested, 5,000 children rescued, and 300 human traffickers “taken off the streets.”
The administration has also surged federal agents and National Guard units to major cities, including Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Memphis, as part of an ongoing crime and immigration crackdown.
Trump: “We’re Letting Them Prove They Can Do It”
Trump said Thursday that he had paused a planned troop deployment to San Francisco after receiving assurances that local leaders were finally taking steps to reduce crime.
“I got a great call from some incredible people, some friends of mine, very successful people,” Trump told reporters.
“They said San Francisco is working hard to get things under control.
“So we’re holding off that surge, and we’re going to let them see if they can do it.”
The president added that if those efforts fail, he is prepared to revisit the decision.
“If it doesn’t work out,” Trump said, “we’ll make the change.”
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