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State Rep. Denny Coffman will be taking a lot of love, support and respect with him after he resigns Dec. 20, according to his colleagues at the Legislature.

The Big Island lawmaker announced Monday that he will be stepping down next week for personal reasons. After losing his wife of 44 years this summer to brain cancer, Coffman said he learned last month that his oldest daughter’s breast cancer has returned and spread.

“While I love Hawaii with all my heart, my love for family must trump my legislative plans,” he wrote in the letter announcing his resignation. “The recession of the past 5 years caused my daughters and grandchildren to leave Hawaii to find employment on the mainland. To help Amy battle her cancer, I too must leave Hawaii.”

Chair Dante Carpenter said discussions are underway to prepare for the process of nominating a replacement. District Democrats in the Kona area will meet sometime after Dec. 20 to pick three people for Gov. Neil Abercrombie to choose from.

Coffman is halfway through his third term representing District 5, which includes Kailua-Kona, Naalehu, Ocean View, Capt. Cook and Kealakekua.

Carpenter said he expects to have a replacement chosen before the next legislative session starts Jan. 15.

“Denny has done a helluva job for west Hawaii and the State of Hawaii,” Carpenter said. “We wish him well in tending to his daughter’s physical ailment at this time.”

‘Caring Voice’ Leaving the Legislature

Coffman’s fellow lawmakers delivered a “political eulogy” — as Sen. Josh Green put it — in separate interviews with Civil Beat.

“Denny stands out in how analytical and nonpolitical he was as a legislator,” said Green, who held Coffman’s seat in the House before moving to the Senate in 2008.

“You need that balance,” he said. “You need some people who play the game and other people who fight hard in different ways.”

Green and other lawmakers touted Coffman’s contributions to ethical standards and energy policy, including the pursuit of renewable sources such as geothermal.

Rep. Clift Tsuji called Coffman “as decent a human being as I’ve had the privilege to work with in the Legislature.”

During this holiday season, Tsuji said it is hard to fathom what Coffman has been undergoing.

“He has been courageous both in his family life and serving his community as a state legislator,” he said.

Sen. Gil Kahele considers Coffman “an awesome individual” and a “great Democrat.”

“He simply was a really nice person and the kind of legislator you want to represent you,” Kahele said.

Rep. Nicole Lowen says lawmakers are really sad to lose Coffman.

“He’s been a thoughtful and knowledgable and caring voice at the Legislature,” she said. “It’s unfortunate he’s had so much personal stuff to deal with. It’s just not fair.”

Yet Another Abercrombie Appointment to Be Made

Some of the names being discussed as potential replacements include Hawaii County Council members, past and present, as well as former candidates for the House seat.

Councilwoman ’s name topped some political insiders’ lists, while others considered Councilman , former Councilwoman Brittany Smart and former council candidate as possibilities.

The situation is a familiar one for Abercrombie, who has appointed nearly 10 percent of the 76-member Legislature since he took office in December 2010.

The governor’s most recent legislative appointment came in January. Just one day before the Legislature opened its 2013 session, he chose Justin Woodson to fill the seat left vacant by Gil Keith-Agaran. (The week prior, Abercrombie picked Keith-Agaran to fill the Senate vacancy created when Shan Tsutsui was tapped to serve as lieutenant governor.)

Several state lawmakers told Civil Beat that they hope the process in picking someone to serve the last year of Coffman’s term moves quickly. They said it’s much better to join the Legislature at the beginning of the session since there’s a steep learning curve.

The Hawaii Democratic Party has 30 days to submit a list of three names to Abercrombie to consider. The governor has 60 days from the time of the resignation, Dec. 20, to appoint a replacement, according to Hawaii law.

House Speaker Joe Souki accepted Coffman’s resignation with “deep sadness and regret,” calling him a “positive proponent of environmental progress.”

Abercrombie’s statement Monday focused on Coffman’s contributions.

“Denny served our country and state with great honor and strength of purpose. He represented the people of Hawaii Island well and helped set the state on a viable path to a responsible and economically sustainable energy policy, which will benefit generations to come.

“While I was saddened to hear of his decision to step down as a member of the House, I recognize, as does anyone who knows him, that as a father and grandfather matters of the family take precedence. The people of Hawaii are thankful for his service and leadership, and we offer our deepest aloha to his family.”