16th Annual Festival of Lights

By Caroline Wright

The annual Festival of Lights on the island of Kauai is a delightful combination of small-town values and history, and a perfect opportunity to join

A testament to the strong and lasting impact that one person can make on a place, the festival started with Auntie Josie Chansky, a folk artist born and raised on the Garden Isle. For 20 years, much to the delight of the community, Auntie Josie crafted Christmas out of whatever was at hand, making beautiful decorations and ornaments that became treasures from trash. Styrofoam pieces, metal cans, plastic bottles, toothpicks, egg cartons, coat hangers and seedpods became part of the decorations at her house.

Over the years, a visit to Auntie Josie’s to see her decorations became a beloved small-town tradition, as people who first came as children returned to show their own kids what had by then become known as “the Christmas house.” Always welcoming, often even inviting visitors to tour her decorated home, Auntie Josie soon became a Christmas fixture herself.

After her husband passed away in 1996, Auntie Josie realized she would no longer be able to continue the tradition, so she had a garage sale to pass on all of her beautiful handmade decorations. And this is when the Christmas magic happened.            Auntie Josie’s entire collection was purchased and donated to the County of Kauai by a Kilauea acquaintance, and her folk art became the cornerstone of the Festival of Lights. Auntie Josie passed away in 2009, but not before being recognized and honored by the senate and the mayor for her extraordinary holiday displays.

On Saturday, December 2, thousands are expected at the Festival of Lights and the Lights on Rice Parade, with festivities from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. Look for a craft fair, food vendors, a bake sale, silent auction, collectables, activities for the kids, and Christmas carols by local choir groups,

The Lights on Rice Parade starts at 6 p.m., so pick a spot on Rice Street or watch from the Kauai County Building, where the parade will end and the countdown and lighting will take place. The County Building will be open from 6-8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Christmas Eve. The lights and decorations make a perfect backdrop for photos of your keiki (children) with Santa. Don’t miss Auntie Josie’s famous handmade Christmas tree, crafted from 7,500 green toothpicks!