Kauai's Festival of Lights, a retail-free holiday celebration, is marking its 22nd year in 2018.
The festival is a tribute to sustainability, and the Historic County Building, the main government headquarters on Kauai, will open its doors to display top-to-bottom decorations made from recycled and reclaimed materials on Dec. 1.
Each year, thousands of Garden Isle residents and visitors walk the halls to take in the colorful, creative displays of Christmas trees, wreaths, ornaments, nativity scenes and other seasonal decorations made from recycled and reclaimed materials such as water bottles, aluminum cans and plastic containers. Many of the pieces are donated designs from previous visitors inspired from their experience. The decorates trees, including one made with recycled plastic water bottles called "Aloha Recycled Treasures," are typically based around a theme.
The feature tree for 2018 is "The Fire and Rain Tree," inspired by the record rainfall that hit Kauai's north shore in April and the dramatic eruptions and tremors from Kilauea Volcano for almost four months on Hawaii island. Recycled forks with paper and toilet paper rolls combine to resemble fiery flames, and recycled plastic spoons represent raindrops.
Festival of Lights runs Dec. 1 through Dec. 29, and is open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Admission is free, and it will also be open on Christmas Eve. There are visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and live music as well.