The late Auntie Josie Chansky and Elizabeth Freeman, Festival of Lights founder and art-director. Photo courtesy of: Tim DeLaVega
By Staff Reports
(Kauai)– For 18 years, Auntie Josie Chansky delighted the residents of Kauai with her gorgeous Christmas decorations at her home in Kapaa on Kawaihau Road. “The Kapaa Christmas House,” as it was known, was brightly lit from the ground to the rooftop. It was a magical wonderland and over the years thousands of adults, children, local residents and visitors from all over the world came to visit.
What made her decorations so special was that Josie was able to turn ‘trash into treasure’. Her one-of-a-kind constructions were made from a rich collection of recycled materials including flash cubes, toothpicks, beer caps, soda cans and egg cartons along with natural objects such as seedpods and pine cones. With care, originality and lots of love these everyday materials came together to create delightfully ingenious decorations.
When her husband died in early 1996, Josie was unable to put up her lights and decorations. Although many offered to help, she was grieving from her husband’s passing, and did not have the spirit to continue. She was determined to immediately sell off her decorations at a garage sale. Elizabeth Freeman, an island resident recognized that if the decorations were sold individually and never seen together again, Kauai would lose a remarkably special tradition. To make sure the Chansky magic would continue to delight the community for generations she purchased close to half of the collection and Josie donated the rest. Elizabeth then donated the entire collection to the County of Kauai. Mayor Maryanne Kusaka gratefully accepted the Chansky creations and asked Elizabeth if she would take charge of designing and coordinating the installation, a task she has continued to this day.
Through the efforts of Mayor Kusaka and the Kauai County Council the Historic County Building on Rice Street was chosen as the perfect site to showcase the decorations. In December 1997 The Festival of Lights became a reality and launched a Kauai tradition!
Aluminum can ornament by Elizabeth Freeman...one of the decorations on the new "If Can, Can" tree at the Festival of Lights
As an artist and designer Elizabeth Freeman was intent on creating a world of magical beauty for children and families. Over the years as creator and art director of the Festival of Lights she has showcased Auntie Josie’s unique Folk Art creations as well as overseeing the delightful “Kauai-style” decorations crafted by volunteers to fashion a Holiday tradition for Kauai uniquely her own.
From 1997 to the present attendance has grown from 400 to 4000 residents and visitors who come to enjoy the dazzling display inside the Historic County Building throughout the month of December. Thousands more enjoy the gorgeous lights in the Historic county Building Park which is up until the New Year.
The Festival of Lights is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 6-8PM through Christmas Eve. Visitors will love our “Santa’s Gone Kauaiian” theme and the glorious collection of Christmas Folk Art created by Auntie Josie Chansky. In the twinkling interior look for the new “Paddle Surfin’ Santa”, the fabulous SPAM can tree, Santa’s Cane Train, the delightful Hula Bear Tree and the brand new “If Can, Can” tree with every ornament crafted from colorful aluminum cans! And it’s all FREE!
Surfin' Santa with his sleigh pulled by chickens! Photo by Ron Kosen / Photospectrum
The beautiful lights in the Historic County Building Park can be seen every evening through New Year’s Day.
Questions or to request assistance or auxiliary aid to view the Festival of Lights, please Contact Festival of Lights Art Director: Elizabeth Freeman: 808 639-8564 or by email at friends@thefestivaloflights.info
Visit our website: www.kauaifestivaloflights.com
The Festival of Lights is sponsored by the County of Kauai, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, HouseMart Ace Hardware and Crafts, and the Friends of the Festival of Lights.
SPAM Can Tree Photo by: Ron Kosen / Photospectrum