Magical Recycled Art, Kauai-Style

One of our favorite events every holiday season takes place at Kauai’s Historic County Building.  Each December, the facility is transformed into an amazing recycled folk art extravaganza.

Over half a century ago, Auntie Josie (Chansky) began turning trash into treasures.  For decades she crafted holiday decorations from things as unusual and seemingly odd as plastic 6-pack holders, Spam cans, bottle caps, now antique IBM punch cards, toothpicks and more.  Her Christmas artworks were displayed at her home here in Kapahi, where thousands of people came annually to see the unique, beautiful, and inspired, recycled holiday decor.

For the past 12 years, since Auntie Josie’s husband died, the annual Kauai custom has been magically resurrected through the help of volunteers at Kauai’s Historic County Building.  That miracle ironically occurred when Auntie Josie decided she was through with the tradition.  In spite of offers to help (including from the Kauai Fire Department), she had a garage sale to sell the collection.  Elizabeth Freeman showed up at the garage sale, and bought up a majority of the art, with the intention of donating it to the County of Kauai for preservation.  When Auntie Josie found out what Elizabeth intended, she donated the remainder of the collection. The rest is history.

The much loved and anticipated annual tradition is now assisted by many volunteers, who together donate approximately 2,000 hours of time, as well as the efforts and financial contributions of countless individuals, businesses, schools and other organizations.  It is also supported by the County, the Kauai Visitors’ Bureau, A.M. Knudsen Memorial Fund, Young Bros., Ace Hardware, and the Friends of the Festival of Lights.

Auntie Josie has been honored by both the Hawaii Senate and Kauai County for her 50 years of folk art contributions to Hawaii’s holiday season.

If you missed the Kauai Festival of Lights this year, be sure to put it in your plans for next year.  This is truly a unique piece of Kauai Americana.

On leaving, Auntie Josie always reminds us that “Christmas is not the only time for loving, caring, giving and sharing.  It is all year round.”

Thank you Auntie Josie, and Happy New Year!