BRANDON ON THE JOB

On November 8, 2022 the voters chose Brandon to be the next Hawai’i State Senator for District 16, and to represent the neighborhoods of ‘Aiea, Pearl City, and Hālawa.

He introduced twenty-four bills during his first session in 2023, covering a wide breadth of issues: from mental health and social services to transportation safety, fireworks, and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP’s).

Brandon’s primary CIP’s were approved and included in the 2023 State Budget:

  • $7M to ‘Aiea High School for a new synthetic athletic field and track
  • $4M to Pearl City High School for lighting, electrical improvements, and equipment for the Nakasone Performing Arts Center
  • $2.2M to Alvah A. Scott Elementary for a new office area and health room
  • $2.2M to Highlands Intermediate School for planning, design and construction of a covered bus stop and seating area
  • $1M to Pearl City Highlands Elementary for planning, design and construction of electrical upgrades and equipment

Senate Bill 497, Bradon’s proposed legislation which pertains to commercial vehicles, has successfully passed through the legislature, and was recently signed into law by the Governor.

He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors on the National League of Cities (“NLC”), Chair of the Large Cities Council for the NLC, and a member of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Brandon is currently active as the Vice President of Education for Paradise Hawaii Toastmasters and is a member of the Pearl City Lions Club, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church.

He is a former member of the ‘Aiea Neighborhood Board, ‘Aiea High School Alumni Association, various nonprofit organizations including the JCI-Hawai‘i-Filipino Jaycees, and the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce.

BRANDON’S STORY

A lifelong resident of the Pearl City and ‘Aiea communities and graduate of ‘Aiea High School in 2004, Brandon Elefante learned at an early age the value of responsibility and commitment. He was an only child born to a single mother and also raised by immigrant grandparents from the Philippines, who taught him about respecting others and the importance of hard work.

Brandon yearned to explore and experience beyond what Hawaii had to offer, and after graduating from high school, decided to attend Saint Mary’s College of California, where he served as a resident advisor to his peers in the dormitories. He also cofounded and was president of the Hawai’i Club, receiving numerous awards for his dedication to student affairs and community service.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and business administration in 2008, Brandon moved back to Hawai’i. Once back home, Brandon became active in the community and pursued a Master’s in Business Administration from Chaminade University and graduated in 2011.

It was during his college years that Brandon discovered his passion for public service. This eventually led him to work as a legislative aide to Honolulu City Councilmember Breene Harimoto, with whom, for four years (2011 to 2014), he assisted the Councilmember with tracking and following infrastructure and development projects, as well as handling constituent issues for the ‘Aiea, Pearl City, and Waipahu communities.

Prior to working for the Councilmember, he was a high school teacher and coach at Damien Memorial School, worked in higher education, and was a staff assistant in the Hawaii State Senate to Senator Will Espero.

On August 9, 2014, Brandon won the vacant seat on the Honolulu City Council to represent ‘Aiea, Pearl City, and Waipahu. On November 12, 2014, Brandon was sworn-in to take office. He won reelection in 2018, to a second term at the Honolulu City Council.

On November 6, 2022, Brandon was elected to the Hawai’i State Senate to represent District 16 – ‘Aiea, Hālawa, and Pearl City. He is a recipient of Pacific Businesses News 40 Under 40.