The 22nd Annual Kauai Festival of Lights Is Nearly Here!

A Kauai tradition started by artist Elizabeth Freeman in 1997 and now showcasing the beloved “Trash to Treasure” Folk Art decorations of Auntie Josie Chansky. Auntie Josie’s tale is a wonderful one to share with your ohana at Christmas. Over half a century ago local folk artist 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. Every years visitors would come to her Kapaa home to admire them, until sadly after her husband passed away she just didn’t have the strength in her anymore and decided to sell them. Luckily they were purchased and donated so the collection could be preserved and that’s how the tradition started.
Now every year a team of talented teen volunteers led by Elizabeth Freeman use these and newly made “Trash to Treasures” to put on the fantastic Festival of Lights at the Historic County Building. It’s runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6-8 pm including Christmas Eve and Saturday, December 29th and is free to all. Plus on Friday, December 7th at 6:00 pm you can enjoy Caroling with the Kauai Chorale and Lighting Countdown led by Santa 6:00pm- 6:30pm followed by the Lights on Rice Parade. To find out more about the Festival of Lights click on the name to be taken to the website.