• Manuel Brun Jr. • Walter Briant Jr. Manuel Brun Jr. Manuel Brun Jr. died Nov. 15, 2008 at the Hilo Medical Center at the age of 82. Born Feb. 4, 1926, in ‘Ele‘ele, he was retired from Kaua‘i Electric
• Manuel Brun Jr.
• Walter Briant Jr.
Manuel Brun Jr.
Manuel Brun Jr. died Nov. 15, 2008 at the Hilo Medical Center at the age of 82.
Born Feb. 4, 1926, in ‘Ele‘ele, he was retired from Kaua‘i Electric Co.
Survived by wife Cynthia Brun of Honokaa; son Michae (Debora) Brun of Mt. View; daughters Josephine “JoJo” Mahi of Kona, Stephanie Saffery of Kaua‘i, Elizabeth “Tita” Kaolowi of Waimea, Donna (Jerry) Jarra of Hilo, Doreen (Joseph) Carveiro III of Ainaloa and Ashley Brun of Kaua‘i; stepson Luke Damien (Cheryl) Octavio Jr. of Hilo; stepdaughters Theresa Octavia of Kaua‘i and Lucinda (Afu) Lefaosu of Honolulu; brother Joseph (Tina) Brun of Kaua‘i; sisters Beatrice Canno of Texas and Margaret Routt of Louisiana; brothers-in-law Edward Reyes Sr. of Honolulu and Patricio (Reno) Agoto Jr. of Kaua‘i; sisters-in-law Gloria (Bobby) Dezsy of Honolulu, Cecelea Vidinha, Sharon (Clarence) Corpuz and Sandra (Tev) Goldman, all of Kaua‘i; 22 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends may attend services at 11 a.m., Nov. 29, at 59-203 Keaweai Pl. Kawaihae, Big Island. For directions, call Val 345-0250.
Viewing services will be from 9 to 10:45 a.m. followed by Mass at Holy Cross Church, Kalaheo, Kaua‘i. Burial will follow Mass at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery.
Aloha wear is suggested.
Mortuary handling arrangements by Dodo Mortuary of Hilo, Hawai‘i.
Walter Briant Jr.
Walter Louis Briant Jr. passed away peacefully on Nov. 21 at his home in Koloa in the company of family and close friends. He was 79.
He had become progressively ill with multiple myeloma (cancer of stem cells) and was unable to recover from injuries sustained on Sept. 7 from a hang gliding accident in California.
Briant had an ever-present passion for aerodynamics. In recent years, he was referred to as “the oldest living windsurfer…” and his favorite spot was Maha‘ulepu Beach. He traveled to Maui and Sylmar, Calif., 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, a humanist. To quote a friend, he was … “wind under our wings.”
Briant was born April 20, 1929, in San Francisco, Calif., to Jennie and Walter Briant Sr. Growing up a star athlete, he was an award-winning swimmer, held the high hurdle record in the Modesto Relays for years, and at age 16 made his first solo airplane flight. At the University of California, Berkeley, he was most proud of having beaten the famous Olympian, Bob Mathias. Walter would have become an Olympic contender in track and field but instead he became active in 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 Kaua‘i with his wife Sandi, Walter began working for the newly formed Kaua‘i Department of Water as its first manager and chief engineer, a post he kept for 20 years. During that time, he oversaw the building of Kaua‘i’s present water systems. In 1981, he founded Briant Construction, Inc. and was instrumental in forming Aqua Engineers, together with President Ian Kagemoto, Seichi Oyama and Frank Keiger. For more than 20 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, a professional photographer and outstanding visual artist. They traveled extensively to such places as China, Australia, Most of Europe, Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, Japan, Greece, New Zealand and last summer he went hang gliding in Umbria, Italy with members of the Dutch and Italian teams.
Walter served as president of many organizations including the Hawai‘i State Water Works Association, Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, Kaua‘i Community College Advisory Board and Kaua‘i 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 county Charter Review Commission, he strongly advocated for a professional county management position instead of a mayoral form of government. Walter hoped to have the county manger initiative placed on the ballot for the people of Kaua‘i to decide.
He is survived by 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; three great-grandchildren; sister Gail (Charles) Pilliter; brother-in-law Dick (Sue) Davis; nieces and nephews Sean and Aaron Klepper, Amber, Shannon and Randy Davis.
Donations may be made in his memory to: Malama Maha‘ulepu, P.O. Box 658, Koloa HI 96756. According to his wishes, in lieu of services, everyone is invited to a celebration of life party on Dec. 13 at the Kekaha Boathouse. For information, call Michelle Emura at Briant Construction.
