[1] Gates attended Waianae High School,[3] and later enrolled at Leeward Community College.
In 2013, he was honored by Governor Neil Abercrombie as an Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth.
[4] In 2014, Gates ran as a Green Party candidate in District 44, losing to Jo Jordan.
[7] Upon taking office at age 23, he became the youngest member of the state legislature.
In 2024, Gates ran for District 44 in the Hawaii State Senate and was defeated 44.3% to 53.1% by Samantha DeCorte.