Brandon Elefante ’08 elected to Hawaii State Senate
Brandon Elefante ’08 won the general election to the Hawaii State Senate in a landslide last Tuesday. Winning 74% of the vote, the Democrat will represent District 16, including central Oahu and his hometown, ‘Aiea. At 36 years old, he will be Hawaii’s youngest State Senator in the coming term.
After his victory, Elefante told KITV-TV, “What I’m hoping to accomplish is building more affordable housing, focusing on climate change, focusing on our economy as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and working hard for the community I grew up in.”
Elefante earned a BS in Economics and Business Administration from Saint Mary’s in 2008, was a resident advisor, and was the Business Manager of The Collegian newspaper.
Foundation and values
He says for him the most influential lessons from SMC include time both inside and outside of class. “I learned a lot—from doing voter outreach in Oakland to engaging voters, community service with projects, and working with CILSA [Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action], and also being inspired by professors and mentors to think beyond ‘Enter to learn, leave to serve.’”
He says his greatest memories are forming lifelong friendships with his classmates: “The foundation and values taught by the mission of the College, the seminar program to think and lead, opportunities to grow with social clubs such as ‘Da Hawaii Club,’ and building community as a former resident advisor.”
In August’s Democratic primary, Elefante defeated the incumbent. Previously, he served on the Honolulu City Council for eight years and chaired the Committee on Zoning and Planning. Elefante resides in ‘Aiea.