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Photo of Brandon J.C.
 Elefante

Senate District 16
‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City
Room: 217
Phone: 808-586-6230
Fax: 808-586-6231
senelefante@capitol.hawaii.gov
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.
EDUCATION

‘Aiea High School, Class of 2004
Saint Mary’s College of California: BS Economics and Business Administration, 2008
Chaminade University: Master’s in Business Administration, 2011


SERVICE

Current:
   Hawai‘i State Senate
     • Chair, Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM)
     • Vice Chair, Committee on Water and Land (WTL)
     • Member, Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts
        (TCA)
     • Member, Committee on Ways and Means (WAM)
     • Member, Filipino Caucus
     • Member, Kūpuna Caucus

Past:
   Hawai‘i State Senate (2022–2024)
     • Vice Chair, Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military
        Affairs (PSM)
     • Member, Judiciary (JDC)
     • Co-Chair, Joint Crime and Justice Caucus
   Honolulu City Council (2014–2022)
     • Chair, Zoning and Planning
     • Chair, Business Economic Development and Tourism
     • Chair, Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
     • Chair, Transportation
     • Chair, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization
     • Vice Chair, Budget Committee
     • Vice Chair, Transportation, Sustainability, and Health
     • Member, Budget, Executive Matters and Legal Affairs
     • Member, Executive Management
     • Member, Public Infrastructure and Technology

   ‘Aiea Neighborhood Board
     • Member

 Other:
     • Member, JCI Hawai‘i Filipino Jaycees
     • Member, Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce
     • Chair, Large Cities Council for NLC
     • Member, Board of Directors: National League of Cities (NLC)
     • Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (NLC)
     • High School Teacher

 Awards:
     • 2020, Distinguished Toastmaster
     • 2015, Pacific Business News 40 Under 40

Monday, May 12, 2025

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Monday, February 10, 2025

February 2025 Newsletter





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Wednesday, January 8, 2025

January 2025 Newsletter





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 2026 Allowance Report
 Measures Introduced in 2026
Measure and Title
SB83 SD2
RELATING TO HOTELS.
SB84
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB85
RELATING TO PERMITS.
SB86
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB87
RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB89
RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
SB90
RELATING TO A COMPENSATORY TIME CASH-OUT PILOT PROGRAM.
SB91
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB92
RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE.
SB93
RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB94
RELATING TO TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS.
SB95
RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY.
SB96
RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.
SB98
RELATING TO LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
SB99
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.
SB103 SD1
RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES.
SB130
RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.
SB132
RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESS LOANS.
SB134
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
SB178
RELATING TO SURFING.
SB220
RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION FINANCING.
SB221
RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.
SB225
RELATED TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
SB226
RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
SB227 SD1 HD2
RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
SB228 SD1 HD2
RELATING TO EXCITED DELIRIUM.
SB353 SD2 HD3
RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
SB363 SD1
RELATING TO FIREARMS.
SB384 SD1
RELATING TO VICTIM RESTITUTION.
SB390
RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SIXTEENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
SB391 SD1
RELATING TO RECYCLING.
SB392
RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
SB393
RELATING TO HOSPITALS.
SB420 SD1
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB434
RELATING TO TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.
SB436 SD1
RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL.
SB439 SD1 HD1
RELATING TO FEES.
SB440 SD2 HD1
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB474 SD1
RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.
SB475
RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.
SB476
RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
SB477
RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.
SB478
RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.
SB497
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB565 SD1
RELATING TO POLOLU VALLEY MANAGEMENT EFFORTS ON HAWAII ISLAND.
SB605
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB606
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
SB639 SD1 HD1
RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.
SB705
RELATING TO EXCITED DELIRIUM.
SB710 SD1
RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.
SB741
RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB746 SD2 HD1
RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
SB802 SD2
RELATING TO INSURANCE.
SB817 SD1
RELATING TO OUT-OF-STATE OFFICES.
SB818
RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.
SB819 SD2 HD1
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB840
RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
SB846
RELATING TO EMERGENCY POWERS.
SB860
RELATING TO SHOPLIFTING.
SB868
RELATING TO THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER CERTIFICATION SUBSIDY PILOT PROGRAM.
SB871 SD1
RELATING TO ARSON.
SB872
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB878
RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.
SB969
RELATING TO INSURANCE.
SB970 SD1
RELATING TO TAXATION.
SB971 SD2
RELATING TO TRAFFIC.
SB972
RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB973
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB1096 SD1
RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.
SB1100 SD2 HD2
RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.
SB1226 SD1
RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
SB1274
RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.
SB1519
RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.
SB1537
RELATING TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
SB1570 SD1
RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
SB1581 SD1 HD1
RELATING TO HAWAII-JAPAN PACIFIC PEACE MONUMENT.
SB1648 SD1
RELATING TO POWER OUTAGES.