The DeSpain family has always had a passion for nature and being outside. They owned a zipline tour that they built in the trees of an Alaskan rainforest for many years, and this floating butterfly sanctuary in Kauai is their latest passion project.

The DeSpains have been visiting Hawaii regularly for the past 20 years, and they fell in love with the island of Kauai when they hiked the Kalaulau Trail in 2004. After Rachel completed treatment for cancer, they decided to make a lifelong dream a reality by moving to the healing waters and lands of the Garden Island where Rachel finished writing and published a book. Although Rachel & Matt have traveled to many countries and far-flung places in their lifetime, Kauai has always held a special place in their hearts. They are so grateful to call it home where they reside with their daughter and rescue dog named Mariposa (“butterfly” in Spanish).

When the DeSpains bought their little farmhouse on 8 acres in Koloa, the property was overgrown with guinea grass. There was no sign of a stream or pond, and a large banyan tree encapsulated an old monkeypod tree. Matt spent several months hacking away at the banyan branches that were strangling the old monkeypod, sculpting the trees in two directions so now the “Monkey Banyan” tree lives in harmony.

Rachel noticed that there weren’t many pollinators in the area, so they slowly began planting lilikoi, mamaki, and other plants that attracted butterflies. After a few years of planting, the population of butterflies has dramatically increased. The DeSpains wanted to build a butterfly habitat, and they reflected back on their experiences building platforms in the trees and decided the Monkey Banyan tree was the perfect location. They spent a year building a uniquely designed butterfly treehouse, and it is finally complete. The DeSpains also converted an old VW bus into a farmstand where they sell fruit and handmade products from their farm. They are excited to share their beautiful farm with locals and visitors on the island of Kauai.