Butterflies of Hawaii with Kids: A Nature Explorer Guide (+ Free Map)

Hawaii has only two native butterfly species — and both of them tell extraordinary stories. The Kamehameha butterfly — Hawaii's state insect — has orange wings with bold black markings and depends entirely on a single native plant for its survival.  For children who look carefully, every garden and forest trail in Hawaii is a butterfly adventure.

Engage your kids in outdoor exploration with Nature Explorer Club's Butterflies of Hawaii Activity Book to track every butterfly your family discovers.

Best Spots for Butterflies in Hawaii

We mapped the best butterfly locations in Hawaii so you can plan your adventure before you go.

1. Paleaku Gardens Butterfly Sanctuary, Big Island — A dedicated butterfly sanctuary on the Big Island's Kona coast — one of the finest butterfly destinations in Hawaii. The sanctuary maintains native and tropical host plants specifically to attract and support butterfly populations. Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, and introduced species are reliably found here alongside native Hawaiian species. An outstanding family destination combining beautiful gardens with genuine butterfly encounter opportunities.

2. Foster Botanical Garden — Butterfly Garden, Honolulu — One of the oldest botanical gardens in Hawaii — established in 1855 — with a dedicated butterfly garden section featuring host plants for multiple species. The butterfly garden is designed specifically to attract butterflies at all life stages — visitors can often find caterpillars, chrysalises, and adults simultaneously. A National Historic Landmark and one of the finest butterfly garden experiences in the Pacific.

3. The Maui Butterfly Farm — A dedicated butterfly farm and educational center on Maui where visitors can walk through enclosed butterfly gardens and observe butterflies at close range. Educational programs explain butterfly life cycles, host plant relationships, and the story of Hawaii's native species. An outstanding family destination — children are invariably captivated by the experience of butterflies landing on them in the enclosed garden.

4. Kaka'ako Ocean Friendly Garden, Honolulu — A beautifully designed public garden in Honolulu's Kaka'ako neighborhood with excellent butterfly viewing. The garden's native and tropical plantings attract a variety of species including Gulf Fritillary, Monarch, and Cabbage White. An accessible urban butterfly destination perfect for families staying in Honolulu who want a butterfly experience without leaving the city.

5. Na'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Kauai — A stunning 240-acre botanical garden on Kauai's north shore with outstanding butterfly viewing across its varied garden sections. The extensive native plant collections support Kamehameha butterflies where mamaki grows, while the tropical garden sections attract Gulf Fritillary, Monarch, and other colorful species. One of the most beautiful and diverse botanical gardens in Hawaii.

6. Limahuli Garden and Preserve, Kauai — A stunning native plant preserve on Kauai's north shore in a dramatic valley below the Na Pali cliffs. The restored native Hawaiian plant communities here support Kamehameha butterflies and Hawaiian Blues in one of the most beautiful natural settings in Hawaii. An outstanding combined wildflower and butterfly destination with cultural and ecological significance.

7. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu — A beautiful 400-acre botanical garden in the Ko'olau Mountains behind Kaneohe with excellent butterfly viewing across its diverse plantings. The garden's native Hawaiian plant sections support Kamehameha butterflies while the tropical sections attract Gulf Fritillary, Monarch, Peacock Pansy, and other colorful introduced species. Free admission makes this one of the best value family nature destinations on Oahu.

8. Princeville Botanical Gardens, Kauai — A beautiful tropical garden on Kauai's north shore with excellent butterfly viewing in its varied plantings. The combination of native Hawaiian plants and tropical species attracts a diverse butterfly community including Gulf Fritillary, Monarch, and introduced species from Asia and the Americas. The dramatic north shore setting makes this one of the most scenic butterfly destinations in Hawaii.

9. Public Crown Flower Sites, Kailua, Oahu — Crown flower — a large tropical milkweed — is one of the most important butterfly host plants in Hawaii. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed species and Crown flower is their preferred host in Hawaii. Several public plantings of Crown flower in the Kailua area of Oahu reliably attract Monarch butterflies in large numbers — sometimes dozens at once feeding, mating, and laying eggs on the plants. A free and accessible butterfly destination that delivers consistently impressive Monarch encounters.

10. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Big Island — A stunning botanical garden on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island with one of the finest collections of tropical plants in Hawaii. The garden's extraordinary diversity of flowering plants attracts a wide variety of butterfly species throughout the year. The rainforest canyon setting with ocean views makes this one of the most beautiful butterfly watching destinations in America — butterflies flying against a backdrop of waterfalls and tropical forest.

Family Tips for Butterfly Watching in Hawaii

• Visit The Maui Butterfly Farm for the best enclosed butterfly experience. Walking through an enclosed butterfly garden where butterflies land on you is an extraordinary family experience — children remember it permanently.

• Find Crown Flower in Kailua for the best Monarch viewing. The public Crown Flower plantings in Kailua on Oahu attract Monarch butterflies in large numbers — sometimes dozens at once. Free and accessible with no hiking required.

• Look for Gulf Fritillaries wherever passion vine grows. Passion vine is common in gardens throughout Hawaii and wherever it grows Gulf Fritillaries are likely nearby. Look for the caterpillars on passion vine leaves as well as the adult butterflies.

• Watch for Red Admirals landing on people. Red Admirals have a remarkable tendency to land on human clothing — standing still near flowering plants gives them an invitation to land.

Frequently Asked Questions: Butterflies of Hawaii with Kids

What is Hawaii's state insect?

The Kamehameha butterfly is Hawaii's state insect — named for the great Hawaiian king Kamehameha I. It is one of only two butterfly species native to Hawaii and depends entirely on the mamaki plant for its caterpillars. It is found only in Hawaii and is most reliably seen in native forest areas where mamaki grows.

How many native butterfly species does Hawaii have?

Only two — the Kamehameha butterfly and the Hawaiian Blue (also called the Koa butterfly). Both are found only in Hawaii. All other butterflies currently found in Hawaii are introduced species that arrived after human settlement.

Where is the best place to see butterflies in Hawaii with kids?

The Maui Butterfly Farm offers the most immersive family butterfly experience — an enclosed garden where butterflies land on visitors. Paleaku Gardens Butterfly Sanctuary on the Big Island is outstanding for variety. The public Crown Flower sites in Kailua on Oahu are the best free option for Monarch butterflies specifically. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden on Oahu offers free admission and excellent butterfly diversity.

Do Monarch butterflies live in Hawaii?

Yes — Monarchs are found throughout Hawaii and are commonly seen in gardens wherever milkweed and Crown Flower are planted. The public Crown Flower plantings in Kailua on Oahu are particularly outstanding for Monarch viewing. Hawaii's Monarchs have access to milkweed year-round in the tropical climate and some populations are resident rather than strictly migratory.

Are Hawaii's native butterflies endangered?

The two native Hawaiian butterflies — the Kamehameha and the Hawaiian Blue — face threats from habitat loss as their native host plants (mamaki and Koa) are threatened by introduced animals, invasive plants, and development. Conservation efforts focusing on native forest restoration and invasive species removal help protect these species.

Also Exploring Hawaii's Other Natural Wonders?

Read our family guides to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with Kids, Seashelling in Hawaii with Kids, Birds of Hawaii with Kids, and Wildflowers of Hawaii with Kids for the complete Hawaii nature adventure.

Planning a full Hawaii adventure? The Hawaii Explorer Pack bundles the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Seashells of Hawaii, and Birds of Hawaii activity books together — everything your young explorer needs for land, sea, and sky.

Turn Your Hawaii Trip Into a Real Butterfly Adventure

Give your kids a mission before you go. Our Butterflies of Hawaii Activity Book is a nature journal for ages 7 to 12 — with a butterfly tracker, fun facts about each species, butterfly category guides, drawing pages, games, and puzzles.