Brandon Elefante
- Senate: 2022-present
Bio
Born in ‘Aiea, Brandon Elefante graduated from ‘Aiea High School and pursued higher education at Saint Mary’s College in California. Elefante returned to Hawai‘i to teach social justice and world religions at Damien Memorial School and earned an MBA in 2011.
From 2014 to 2022, Elefante served on the Honolulu City Council representing ‘Aiea, Pearl City and Waipahū. In 2022 he was elected to the Senate. He currently serves as chair of the Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Elefante’s district includes ‘Aiea, Pearl City and Hālawa.
Leader Badges
Bill Activity
For this session year, this legislator initiated 84 bills: 5 passed, 73 failed, and 6 are currently pending.
Alignment Meter
See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.
No Results
Digital Democracy contains no financial data in relation to this organization. Digital Democracy contains no contribution data in relation to this organization.
Influence
There are two categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei Economic & Cultural Office of Honolulu | $20 | Dec 21, 2022 | box of tea |
| Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum | $17 | Dec 20, 2022 | admission ticket |
| Jay Butay | $10 | Dec 22, 2022 | Homemade pastries |
| Senator Sharon Moriwaki | $8.95 | Dec 21, 2022 | Cookies 4.3 oz Mele Pack |
| Cheryl Kakazu Park | $6 | Dec 28, 2022 | Loaf of bread |
| Denis J. Dwyer | $5 | Dec 7, 2022 | Washington DC Capitol Christmas Ornament |
| Representative Sonny Ganaden | $5 | Dec 19, 2022 | 5 turnovers |
| Ellen Kitamura | $3 | Dec 1, 2022 | Doily for a tabletop |
Gifts
For gifts that are allowed, legislators must file an annual gifts disclosure statement with the Hawai'i State Ethics Commission if they or their spouse or dependent child receive from a single source one or multiple gifts and the whole aggregate value exceeds $200.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 11th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| The Council of State Governments - West | $1,349.9 | Dec 12, 2023 | Meals & Daily Transportation |
| The Council of State Governments - West | $884.92 | Dec 12, 2023 | Accommodations with breakfast |
| The Council of State Governments - West | $742.89 | Dec 12, 2023 | Faculty /Curriculum |
| The Council of State Governments - West | $388.28 | Dec 12, 2023 | Materials and Meeting Costs |
| Melissa Au and West Oahu 10U Boy's Soccer Team - | $50 | Aug 29, 2023 | orchid lei |
| Kathleen Okubo | $40 | Apr 12, 2023 | Ensamadas, croissants from Pastry Studio |
| CoreCivic | $34 | Sep 8, 2023 | Two Bottled Waters and BBQ food for lunch |
| Momilani Elementary School | $25 | Oct 30, 2023 | orchid lei, gift bag with clip with mini note pad, pens, mints, mini flash light |
| Tony Evans | $20 | Feb 3, 2023 | Kingdom Politics |
| Soto Mission of `Aiea | $20 | Sep 19, 2023 | 100th Anniversary Soto Mission Book |
| Joe & Gail Mitchell | $20 | Apr 21, 2023 | Daily Declarations of Faith book |
| The Council of State Governments West | $16 | Dec 16, 2023 | meals |
| Aiea High School | $16 | May 5, 2023 | shopping bag and pen |
| Paul Lee, CBB Bank | $15 | Aug 8, 2023 | cigar lei |
| Calvin Say | $15 | Jan 19, 2023 | Fortune Cookie |
| Waiau Elementary School | $15 | May 19, 2023 | Tote bag, candy, and chips |
| Mary Grace Y Guay - Mindanao Dance Troupe | $15 | Oct 24, 2023 | tapestry piece |
| Dr. Ken Siu | $15 | Sep 14, 2023 | Rebuild Lahaina tee shirt |
| Gerald Hirata | $12 | May 13, 2023 | Mele Max candy |
| University of Virginia, Darden School of Business | $10 | Jul 12, 2023 | University of Virginia Umbrella |
| Greg Ching | $10 | Jan 19, 2023 | paper crane |
| Hawaii Dental Hygienists Assn. | $10 | Jan 19, 2023 | Tooth Brush, tooth paste, dental tape |
| Maria Andres | $10 | Jan 19, 2023 | 2 Tee-shirts made in the Philippines |
| Hawaii Agricultural Foundation | $10 | Feb 9, 2023 | small box of candy |
| Academy for Creative Media | $10 | Jan 19, 2023 | Moana DVD - in Hawaiian language |
| Lyn Vasquez | $10 | Jan 19, 2023 | vanda lei |
| Dion Mesta | $10 | Jan 18, 2023 | Vanda Lei |
| Kaka`ako Akuone (Ann Chung) | $10 | Feb 16, 2023 | Size Large - Black t shirt |
| Pearl City High School | $10 | Apr 13, 2023 | Bento and a bottle of water |
| Denis J. Dwyer | $10 | Dec 22, 2023 | Christmas Ornament |
| Senator Tim Richards | $10 | Dec 14, 2023 | Big Island Cookies |
| Senator Troy Hashimoto | $10 | Dec 22, 2023 | Kula Persimmons Jam |
| EAH Housing | $10 | Oct 17, 2023 | ti leaf lei |
| Melanie Hill | $10 | Oct 20, 2023 | crown lei |
| Representative Troy Hashimoto | $9.5 | Jul 21, 2023 | Maui Specialty Chocolate Mochi |
| Soto Mission of `Aiea | $9 | Sep 19, 2023 | Purple Orchid Lei |
| Filipino Chamber of Commerce | $8 | Jul 15, 2023 | orchid lei |
| Joey Manahan | $8 | Jan 19, 2023 | Gau |
| Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke | $8 | Jan 19, 2023 | Succulent (sm) |
| Senator Sharon Moriwaki | $8 | Dec 22, 2023 | Honolulu Cookies |
| Department of Public Safety | $6 | Nov 15, 2023 | orchid lei |
| Gayle Harimoto | $6 | Nov 11, 2023 | orchid |
| Senator Kurt Fevella | $5 | Feb 14, 2023 | candy - small sampler box |
| Jordon Lowe | $5 | Apr 6, 2023 | Department of Law Enforcement Medallion |
| ProjectShaka.com | $5 | Mar 23, 2023 | Shaka pin |
| Envelope Folder | $5 | Jan 19, 2023 | Plastic Folder and Pen (Realtors) |
| United Caregivers of Hawaii | $5 | Jan 19, 2023 | Squirt Bottle of Hand Sanitizer |
| Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center | $5 | Jan 19, 2023 | Recycled bag |
| Hui Aikane Senior Group | $5 | Oct 17, 2023 | crochet lei |
| Chris Sadayasu & Dane Wicker | $4 | Jan 19, 2023 | 14 piece Hawaiian Host Candy |
| Rotary Club of Hickam Pearl Harbor | $3 | Jun 20, 2023 | kukui nut lei |
| National Conference of State Legislatures | $3 | Mar 10, 2023 | plastic pencil case and pen |
| Annie L. Macapagal | $3 | May 25, 2023 | Plastic-free utensils (24) |
| OLELO KIDS | $3 | Jan 19, 2023 | OLELO Cookie |
| Naomi Tully- ungacta | $3 | Nov 11, 2023 | musubi |
| Vida Caprice | $3 | Aug 14, 2023 | Ribbon Lei |
| Democratic Party | $2 | Jan 27, 2023 | Almond cookie |
| Robert Brennan | $2 | Nov 21, 2023 | Book with his resume and collection of letters and photos. |
| Assemblyman Bill Moen | $2 | Jul 13, 2023 | New Jersey State Pin |
| Senator Leo Jarmillo | $2 | Jul 13, 2023 | New Mexico Senate State pin |
| Representative Rebecca Himschoot | $2 | Jul 13, 2023 | Alaska State Legislature pin |
| Gov Josh Green | $1 | Jan 19, 2023 | Fortune Cookie |
| Lanakila | $1 | Jan 19, 2023 | candies (3 fun size) |
| DD Council | $1 | Mar 2, 2023 | crochet lei |
| Mallory Fujitani | $1 | Jan 9, 2023 | Homemade Cornbread |
| 201st Air Mobility DPS unit | $1 | Aug 29, 2023 | Promotional Sticker |
| Hawaii Pilots Association | $1 | Jul 27, 2023 | Hawaii Pilots Association pen |
| Rotary Club of Hickam Pearl Harbor | $0.25 | Jun 27, 2023 | Rotary International Sticker |
| Rep. Elijah Pierick | $0.05 | Feb 2, 2023 | piece of FruitGoCandy Mango |
Gifts
For gifts that are allowed, legislators must file an annual gifts disclosure statement with the Hawai'i State Ethics Commission if they or their spouse or dependent child receive from a single source one or multiple gifts and the whole aggregate value exceeds $200.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 6th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Harimoto Family | $50 | Jan 16, 2024 | Orchid Flower arrangement |
| Pacific Palisades Elementary School | $22.99 | Mar 19, 2024 | Honolulu Cookie Company mini bites |
| Waimalu Elementary School | $22 | Apr 12, 2024 | Ti leaf lei and Zipac from Zippys |
| Asian Dance Team | $20 | Sep 14, 2024 | banner |
| Maui County | $20 | Oct 22, 2024 | puff rice candy, reusable bag, sticker, calendar, dried persimmons |
| Director Lori MK Kahikina | $20 | Jan 16, 2024 | Mochi |
| Alzheimer's Association | $20 | Jul 1, 2024 | Orchid lei |
| Developmental Disabilities | $16 | Mar 7, 2024 | 2 ti leaf leis |
| Pearl City foundation | $16 | Jul 26, 2024 | Bento and yarn lei |
| Councilmember Radiant Cordero | $15 | Jan 17, 2024 | Diamond Bakery Toffee Macnut Cookies |
| Hawaii Air National Guard | $15 | Jul 26, 2024 | kukui nut lei, stickers, pin, medallion from Brig Gen. Mitsuyoshi |
| Dr. Nancy Atmospera-Walch | $15 | Jan 17, 2024 | Big Island Cookies |
| Marvin Dang & HFSA | $15 | Feb 8, 2024 | calendar, pen and 10 fortune cookies |
| Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and School | $12 | Sep 4, 2024 | 2 yarn leis and 1 puakenikeni lei |
| District Court | $12 | Jul 25, 2024 | Hand crafter yard lei |
| Sara Yoshimura | $10 | Jan 28, 2024 | crown flower lei |
| Pearl City Elementary School | $10 | Sep 6, 2024 | 1 yean lei, 2 kukui nut leis |
| Hawaii Agricultural Foundation | $10 | Jan 18, 2024 | recyclable bag and a pen |
| Councilmembers Calvin Say and Tommy Waters | $10 | Feb 9, 2024 | cookie assortments |
| Ashley Kierkiewicz | $10 | Jan 17, 2024 | Mini box of Big Island Candies |
| Robert Perkinson | $10 | Feb 20, 2024 | fresh orchid lei |
| Martha Saena | $10 | Mar 14, 2024 | NCSL pin |
| Aiea Intermediate School | $10 | May 22, 2024 | orchid lei |
| Highland Intermediate School | $10 | May 16, 2024 | crown flower lei |
| Waiau Elementary School | $10 | May 22, 2024 | orchid lei |
| Waimalu Elementary School | $10 | May 30, 2024 | fabric lei |
| Aiea Elementary School | $10 | May 30, 2024 | fabric Lei |
| Aiea High School | $10 | May 31, 2024 | fabric lei |
| President Maribel AFHA | $10 | Jan 17, 2024 | Cookie Corner Cookies |
| Director Tommy Johnson | $10 | Jan 17, 2024 | Badge. pen, lanyard , sticker |
| Jenny Duhaylongsod Delos Santos | $10 | Jan 10, 2024 | Mark Takai's Legacy Book |
| American Legion | $10 | Dec 7, 2024 | 3 medals |
| Senate President Kouchi | $10 | Jan 17, 2024 | fresh flower lei |
| City and County of Honolulu | $10 | Nov 25, 2024 | orchid lei |
| Senator Tim Richards | $10 | Dec 6, 2024 | Big Island Macadamia Nut Shortbread 5 oz cookies |
| Walkwise Hawaii | $8 | Jan 17, 2024 | 7 Pedestrian Wearable light, and 4 wrist bands (florescent ) |
| Pearl City High School Band | $8 | May 6, 2024 | orchid lei |
| Alzheimer's Association | $8 | Mar 7, 2024 | orchid lei |
| Senator Kurt Fevella | $8 | Jan 17, 2024 | fresh flower lei |
| Hawaii State Library System | $8 | Jan 17, 2024 | coaster, calendar, and plastic folder |
| Roger McKeague, OLELO | $7 | Jan 17, 2024 | thumb drive |
| HGEA | $7 | Jan 17, 2024 | pens, pads, chip clips |
| Diocese of Honolulu | $6 | Jan 16, 2024 | orchid lei |
| Scott Stensrud | $6 | Mar 20, 2024 | Vanda orchid lei |
| Waipahu Clubhouse | $6 | Jan 17, 2024 | pastry |
| Denis Dwyer | $5 | Dec 26, 2024 | The White House Christmas Ornament |
| Senator Hashimoto | $5 | Oct 22, 2024 | dried persimons |
| Greg Ching | $5 | Feb 6, 2024 | Gau |
| Jenn Diesman, Dawn Kurisu, Walden Au | $5 | May 2, 2024 | highlight pens and hand sanitizer |
| Hawaii Realtors | $5 | Jan 9, 2024 | File holder and pen |
| Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman | $5 | Jan 11, 2024 | pens and hand sterilizer |
| Director Jade T. Butay | $5 | Jan 16, 2024 | Homemade Pickled Mango |
| Steven Muraoka | $5 | Jan 27, 2024 | 2 bottles of water and 2 energy bars |
| Department of Law Enforcement | $5 | Jan 17, 2024 | Gummy Bears |
| Palisades Elementary School | $2 | May 28, 2024 | handmade yarn lei |
| Eliza Ryan Gil | $2 | Jul 5, 2024 | Plumeria lei |
| University of Hawaii Community Design Center | $2 | Feb 1, 2024 | 2 Carabiners |
| Senator Troy Hashimoto | $2 | Jan 17, 2024 | paper made lei |
| Hawaii Realtors | $1 | Dec 30, 2024 | Calendar |
| Catholic Charities Hawaii | $1 | Jan 17, 2024 | calendar (mini) |
| IHS | $1 | Jan 17, 2024 | mini note pad |
| Hawaii State Teachers Association | $1 | Feb 2, 2024 | rain poncho |
| Councilmember Susan "Sue" L.K. Lee Loy | $1 | Mar 13, 2024 | Alohahilo - sticker |
| Drug Court | $1 | Jun 28, 2024 | Handcrafted yarn lei |
| Hawaii Cattlemen's Council | $0.5 | Feb 8, 2024 | sticker |
Gifts
For gifts that are allowed, legislators must file an annual gifts disclosure statement with the Hawai'i State Ethics Commission if they or their spouse or dependent child receive from a single source one or multiple gifts and the whole aggregate value exceeds $200.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 4th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Kat Brady | $25 | May 1, 2025 | orchid flat lei |
| Julia Sherwin | $20 | Jan 15, 2025 | orchid, assorted orchid leis (2) |
| Senator Ronald Kouchi | $15 | Jan 15, 2025 | Orchid lei |
| William Haleck | $15 | Jan 15, 2025 | orchid leis |
| Representative Coco Iwamoto | $12 | Jan 27, 2025 | Cubicle wall clips (box of 20) |
| Eric White, Highlands Intermediate | $10 | Apr 27, 2025 | orchid lei |
| Wendy Gday | $10 | Jan 15, 2025 | ti leaf lei |
| DOD Office of Veterans Services | $10 | Mar 26, 2025 | orchid lei |
| Tony Valesco | $10 | Jan 15, 2025 | Ti leaf lei |
| Father Murphy Moment of Contemplation speaker) | $10 | Apr 4, 2025 | Conductor Wizard Stick |
| Aiea Intermediate School | $10 | May 27, 2025 | Eyelash Lei |
| Tobacco-Free Kids | $10 | Jan 13, 2025 | orchid lei |
| Mary Cordero | $10 | Jan 2, 2025 | tuberose lei |
| Honolulu City Council | $10 | Jan 2, 2025 | orchid lei |
| Alzheimer's Advocacy Day | $8 | Apr 3, 2025 | orchid lei |
| Celebrating 50 Years of Freedom for Vietnamese Refugees | $8 | Apr 2, 2025 | Fresh lei and food |
| Take Down Tobacco | $8 | Mar 19, 2025 | orchid lei |
| Korean War Commemoration | $7 | Jun 25, 2025 | flower lei |
| Councilmember Arrly Kaneshiro (Kauai) | $7 | Jan 15, 2025 | Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts |
| Hawaii Medical Service Assn | $5 | Jan 10, 2025 | 2 calendars |
| Trees for Honolulu's Future | $5 | Apr 22, 2025 | Kumula`au playing cards |
| Joey Manahan | $5 | Jan 15, 2025 | Gau |
| 442nd Regimental Combat Team | $5 | Apr 21, 2025 | Medallion |
| ProjectShaka - gov | $5 | Apr 15, 2025 | shaka pin |
| Senator Chris Lee | $5 | Apr 15, 2025 | Headband |
| Cancer Center of Hawaii | $5 | Jan 27, 2025 | crown flower lei |
| Aiea High School | $5 | May 19, 2025 | Ribbon lei |
| Ekolu Mea Nui | $5 | Jan 15, 2025 | Bag of Trail mix |
| Waiau Elementary | $5 | May 16, 2025 | recyclable bag |
| Adjutant General Stephen Logan | $5 | Mar 26, 2025 | medallion from the State of Hawaii Office of the Adjutant General |
| Councilmember Tupola | $5 | Jan 15, 2025 | sample bag of coffee |
| Chief of Police Arthur Logan | $5 | Mar 26, 2025 | medallion from the Honolulu Police Department |
| Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke | $5 | Jan 15, 2025 | Glass with State Seal |
| Pearl City High School | $4 | Apr 3, 2025 | kukui nut leis (2) |
| `Aiea High School Varsity Basketball team and coaching staffff | $4 | Feb 24, 2025 | 2 kukui nut leis |
| Bryan Yamashita | $3 | Apr 21, 2025 | lei (seagrape) |
| Waipahu Aloha House | $2.5 | Jan 15, 2025 | coin bag |
| Alvah Scott Elementary School | $2 | May 29, 2025 | Ribbon lei |
| Waimalu Elementary School | $2 | May 29, 2025 | Ribbon Lei |
| Gov. Josh Green | $2 | Jan 15, 2025 | popcorn |
| Jade Butay | $2 | Apr 8, 2025 | cookie |
| Kathleen Hayashi 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans | $2 | Apr 21, 2025 | red, white, blue ribbon lei |
| Lanakila Muti-Purpose Senior Center | $2 | Jan 15, 2025 | Clothes pins |
| Palisades Elementary School | $2 | Mar 7, 2025 | kukui nut lei |
| Rotary of Pearl Ridge | $2 | Feb 21, 2025 | kukui nut lei |
| Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem | $2 | Jan 27, 2025 | medallion |
| 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans | $1 | Apr 21, 2025 | 100th Battalion Chip |
| Business and Professional Women/Hawaii | $1 | Mar 27, 2025 | Payday candy bar |
| Education Week | $1 | Mar 20, 2025 | Education Week Lanyard |
Gifts
For gifts that are allowed, legislators must file an annual gifts disclosure statement with the Hawai'i State Ethics Commission if they or their spouse or dependent child receive from a single source one or multiple gifts and the whole aggregate value exceeds $200.
Gift Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 4th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| State Legislative Leaders Foundation | $5,155.77 | Jul 13, 2023 | Travel Expense to attend "SLLF" 2023 Emerging Leader Program |
| The Council of State Governments West | $35 | Dec 12, 2023 | Transportation Shuttle to and from Colorado Springs to Broadmoor Hotel |
| The Council of State Governments West | $35 | Dec 16, 2023 | Transportation Shuttle to and from Colorado Springs to the Broadmoor Hotel |
Sponsored Travel
Legislators are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to Hawai'i. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a legislator can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
Travel Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 12th highest for the amount of sponsored travel received.
|
Giver
|
Value
|
Date
|
Description
|
|---|---|---|---|
| National Conference of State Legislatures | $2,624.4 | Jun 5, 2024 | Conference Fees, Airfare, Hotel, Transportation, and Meals |
Sponsored Travel
Legislators are allowed to have their expenses paid for domestic and international travel that is related to their work including, for example, trips to conferences or to tour places facing issues similar to Hawai'i. There is no limit on the amount of travel expenses a legislator can accept. The trips are often funded by companies or organizations with interest in state policy.
Travel Received Rating
This legislator is ranked 6th highest for the amount of sponsored travel received.
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.
3MIN
SB 2140
Contractors; Employees; Counties; Wages; Benefits; Hours; Employment Status; Disclosure
3MIN
SB 99
DLE; ERS; Retirees; Benefits; School Resource Officers; Labor Shortage; Difficult-to-Fill; State and...
35SEC
SB 99
DLE; ERS; Retirees; Benefits; School Resource Officers; Labor Shortage; Difficult-to-Fill; State and...
5MIN
SB 2135
Nonconsensual Disclosure of Intimate or Private Images; Felony Offense; Penal Code; Minors;...
2MIN
SB 2135
Nonconsensual Disclosure of Intimate or Private Images; Felony Offense; Penal Code; Minors;...
1MIN
SB 99
DLE; ERS; Retirees; Benefits; School Resource Officers; Labor Shortage; Difficult-to-Fill; State and...
1MIN
SB 99
DLE; ERS; Retirees; Benefits; School Resource Officers; Labor Shortage; Difficult-to-Fill; State and...
11MIN
SCR 139
Requesting the Workforce Development Council to recommend to the Governor, for inclusion...
31SEC
SCR 85
Requesting the DEPARTMENT of Human Resources Development to collaborate with state departments,...
Previous Election (2024):