LOS ANGELES -- Hawaii State Rep. Denny Coffman announced on Dec. 9 that he will resign later this month for family reasons.
Coffman, whose wife died last year, said he plans to move to California to help his daughter, who has been diagnosed with cancer, according to Hawaii Civil Beat.
His resignation is effective Dec. 20, according to Coffman’s statement.
“I am extremely honored to have been elected by the people of the Hawaii island and to serve three terms in the Legislature,” Coffman said. “It is with a heavy heart that I make this decision, but as a father and grandfather, I am firmly committed to my family and will be there for my daughters and grandchildren in their time of need.”
First elected to represent a Kona district in Hawaii County in 2008, Coffman was an advocate on environmental issues. He once served as chairman of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie will appoint Coffman’s replacement.
“Denny helped set the state on a viable path to a responsible and economically sustainable energy policy, which will benefit generations to come,” Abercrombie said. “The people of Hawaii are thankful for his service and leadership, and we offer our deepest aloha to his family.”
