Born in ‘Aiea to a single mother and raised by his Filipino immigrant grandparents, Senator Brandon Elefante learned the values of commitment and responsibility at an early age. His extended family instilled in him respect, a strong work ethic, and the importance of community.
After graduating from ‘Aiea High School, Senator Elefante pursued higher education at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he discovered his passion for public service. During his time there, he served as a resident advisor, co-founded the Hawai‘i Club and later became its president. Senator Elefante’s dedication to student affairs and community service earned him several awards and recognition.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration, Senator Elefante returned to Hawai‘i to teach social justice and world religions at Damien Memorial School. He also became actively involved in his community, serving on the ‘Aiea Neighborhood Board and pursuing further education at Chaminade University, where he earned a Master’s in Business Administration in 2011.
From 2011 to 2014, Senator Elefante worked as a legislative aide to Honolulu City Councilmember Breene Harimoto. In this role, he tracked infrastructure and development projects and addressed constituent concerns in the ‘Aiea, Pearl City, and Waipahū communities. This experience solidified Senator Elefante’s commitment to public service and to improving the lives of Hawai‘i’s residents.
For the next eight years, from 2014 to 2022, Senator Elefante served on the Honolulu City Council, representing the communities of ‘Aiea, Pearl City, and Waipahū. During his tenure, he chaired several key committees, including Zoning and Planning; Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Public Health, Safety, and Welfare; Transportation; and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also served as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee and the Transportation, Sustainability, and Health Committee and was an active member of the Budget, Executive Matters and Legal Affairs, Executive Management, and Public Infrastructure and Technology Committees. Senator Elefante’s leadership during this period demonstrated his dedication to balanced growth, public safety, and improving the quality of life for O‘ahu's diverse communities.
Then, in 2022, Senator Elefante was elected as the Hawai‘i State Senator for District 16, representing the neighborhoods of ‘Aiea, Pearl City, and Hālawa. During his first term, he served as Vice Chair of the Water and Land (WTL) Committee and the Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) Committee, as well as a member of the Judiciary (JDC) Committee and the Transportation and Culture and the Arts (TCA) Committee. Additionally, he co-chaired the Joint Crime and Justice Caucus and was a member of the Filipino Caucus.
Following his re-election in 2024, Senator Elefante now serves as Chair of the Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM) Committee and as a member of the Ways and Means (WAM) Committee. He continues to serve as Vice Chair of the Water and Land (WTL) Committee and as a member of the Transportation and Culture and the Arts (TCA) Committee. Senator Elefante remains an active member of the Filipino Caucus and has joined the Kūpuna Caucus, furthering his commitment to addressing the diverse needs of his constituents.