Bennette Misalucha
Bennette Misalucha | |
|---|---|
Misalucha | |
| Member of the Hawaii Senate from the 16th district | |
| In office July 10, 2020 – November 8, 2022 | |
| Appointed by | David Ige |
| Preceded by | Breene Harimoto |
| Succeeded by | Brandon Elefante |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | ʻAiea, Hawaii |
| Education | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BA) |
Bennette Espineli Misalucha is an American politician who served as a member of the Hawaii Senate for the 16th district from 2020 to 2022. She was appointed to the seat after incumbent Democrat Breene Harimoto died.[1] She won a special election to fill the term in 2020, but lost re-nomination to Brandon Elefante in 2022.[2][3]
Early life and education
Misalucha was born in Manila and raised in Davao City and Cebu in the Philippines; her mother, Avelina Espineli, was a school teacher and her father, Benjamin Robledo, was an insurance executive. She immigrated to Hawaii in the early 1980s.[4]
Misalucha attended the University of the Philippines Cebu College, but dropped out during her senior year to work for DYCB-TV. She graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a bachelor's degree in communications/journalism and graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.[3][4]
Career
Misalucha previously worked as a broadcast journalist at KHON-TV and DYCB-TV from 1980 to 1984.[2] She was the executive director of the Hawai’i Crop Improvement Association, vice president at Actus Lend Lease, and also a former senior vice president at Central Pacific Bank.[3][4]
She is currently the executive director of the Hawaii Workforce Development Council.[5]
Hawaii State Senate
Following incumbent Democratic state senator Breene Harimoto death from pancreatic cancer, governor David Ige appointed Misalucha to fill his term.[1] She won a special election to fill the term in 2020 with 52.7% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Kelly Puamailani Kitashima.[2]
In 2022, Honolulu City Councilmember Brandon Elefante challenged Misalucha in the Democratic primary election.[6] He defeated her in a landslide with 70.83% to her 29.17% of the vote.[7]
Electoral history
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brandon Elefante | 9,680 | 70.83 | |
| Democratic | Bennette Misalucha (incumbent) | 3,987 | 29.17 | |
| Total votes | 13,667 | 100.00 | ||
2020
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bennette Misalucha (incumbent) | 11,508 | 52.7 | |
| Republican | Kelly Kitashima | 10,335 | 47.3 | |
| Total votes | 21,843 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Personal life
Misalucha has a daughter and son, Danielle and Christian Evangelista.[3] She resides in ʻAiea, Hawaii.[9]
Awards and honours
- Banaag Award, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (2022)[10]
- President Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, The Outstanding Filipino Awards (2024)[11]
References
- ^ a b Pang, Gordon (June 19, 2020). "State Sen. Breene Harimoto dies after bout with cancer". Star Advertiser.
- ^ a b c Nakaso, Dan (November 4, 2020). "Incumbents cruise to easy state Senate victories". Star Advertiser.
- ^ a b c d Sampaga, Jim Bea (July 18, 2020). "Gov. Ige Appoints Bennette Misalucha to Senate District 16".
- ^ a b c Seares, Pachico A. (January 18, 2021). "Former TV news reporter, UP Cebu alumna -- who covered Cebu Capitol, Eddie Gullas in early 80s -- starts her term as Hawaii elected senator". SUNSTAR.
- ^ Burgos, Annalisa; Hurd, Lili (October 23, 2024). "'Future of Work 2024 Conference' aims to address challenges of Hawaii job market". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Ordonio, Cassie (August 1, 2022). "Battle For Central Oahu Senate Seat Pits Incumbent Against Well-Known City Councilman". Civil Beat. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Blair, Chad (August 13, 2022). "Hawaii Legislature: House Speaker In Close Race For Seat". Civil Beat. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "PRIMARY ELECTION 2022 - Statewide - August 13, 2022" (PDF). Hawaii Office of Elections. August 25, 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Candidate Q&A: State Senate District 16 — Bennette Misalucha". Civil Beat. July 11, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Burgos, Annalisa (July 24, 2022). "Philippine government recognizes Hawaii lawmaker with prestigious award". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Diaz, Rasmin (October 22, 2024). "Pres. Biden's message highlights Filipino trailblazers at TOFA Awards". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 21, 2025.