One of our most beloved traditions on Kauai are Auntie Josie’s creations at the County Historic Building.
Have you heard of Auntie Josie Chansky and the Festival of Lights? Over half a century ago a local folk artist called Josie Chansky started making one of a kind holiday decorations from all sorts of odd, and unusual items such as spam cans, toothpicks, bottle caps and more.
People would come to her house in Kapaa every year to see her amazing creations, sadly after her husband died she realized that she didn’t have the strength to put them up herself so she decided to hold a garage sale to sell them off. Luckily it was brought by someone with the intention to donate it to preserve it, when Auntie Josie heard this she immediately donated the rest of her collection.
Now thanks to many volunteer hours the whole collection can be seen every year for free at Kauai’s County Historic Building, running from December 2nd to 24th and open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6-8 pm.
While we might not get any snow here on Kauai we make up for it with colorful displays of Christmas decorations and lights. So come along and see Auntie Josie’s treasures, you can even visit with Santa too!
