Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Walter Louis Briant, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Koloa, Kauai on November 21, in the company of family and close friends. He had become progressively ill with multiple myeloma, and was not able to recover from injuries sustained on Sept. 7 from a hang gliding accident in California.

Walter had an ever-present passion for aerodynamics. In recent years, he was referred to as “the oldest living windsurfer…� his favorite spot being Mahaulepu Beach. He traveled to Maui and Sylmar, California to hang glide “alongside the birds.� For him, walking meant frolicking, and he would sometimes jump up and click his heels before landing. He will long be remembered for his playful attitude, spirited conversations, and for being an inspiring mentor… sharp, perceptive, humanistic. To quote a friend, he was … “wind under our wings.�

Walter was born on April 20, 1929 in San Francisco, California to parents Jennie and Walter, Sr. Growing up a star athlete, he was an award-winning swimmer, held the high hurdles record in the Modesto Relays, and by 16, made his first solo flight, an extraordinary achievement. At the University of California, Berkeley, he beat the famous Bob Mathias, and could have become an Olympic Contender in track & field. Instead, he chose to join the Navcom program and became a flying midshipman, serving in the Korean War. He returned to University of California in 1953 to earn a Mechanical Engineering degree.

By 1960, after moving to Kauai with his wife Sandi, he began working for the newly formed Kauai Department of Water as its first manager and chief engineer, a post he kept for twenty years. During that time, he oversaw the building of Kauai’s present water systems. In 1981, he founded Briant Construction, Inc. and was instrumental in forming Aqua Engineers, together with Seichi Oyama, Frank Keiger and President Ian Kagemoto. For more than twenty years, he remained active in the two companies as their licensed, professional engineer

It was 30 years ago that Walter married his “best friend� Carol Ann Davis, currently a professional photographer and outstanding visual artist. They traveled extensively to such places as China, Australia, Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, Japan, Greece, New Zealand and last summer to Europe, where he hang glided in Umbria Italy with Dutch and Italian teams.

Walter served as President of many organizations such as the Hawaii State Water Works Association, Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Kauai Community College Advisory Board, and Kauai Branch of the American Heart Association. He was a founding member of Hale Opio, a youth rehabilitation organization. . Since 2007, as a member of the Kauai County Charter Commission, he strongly advocated for a professional County management position instead of a mayoral form of government. He hoped the have the County Manger initiative placed on the ballot for the people of Kauai to decide.

Surviving are his wife Carol Ann Davis-Briant; step-children Norman (Mollene) LeGoullon, David (Shells) LeGoullon, Michele (Calvin) Speegle; grandchildren Michael, John, Chelsea, Bret, Ryan, Tyler and Brendon LeGoullon, Blayne, Shaun and Kristopher Speegle; and three great-grandchildren; and Walter’s sister Gail (Charles) Pillier, his brother-in-law Dick (Sue) Davis, and three nephews and two nieces.

Donations may be made in Walter Briant’s memory to: Malama Mahaulepu, POB 658, Koloa HI 96756.