Jerry and Niki Fuller have been bewitched by butterflies for nearly three decades. An instant fascination evolved after the couple found a crippled butterfly and tried to nurse it back to health. It did not survive but their interest was piqued, and they began to understand the vulnerability of these delicate creatures.

“;Only two in 100 caterpillars turn into butterflies. ... Two percent survive to adulthood and are able to reproduce,”; Niki explained. And often the butterflies become prey, Jerry added. “;They get eaten as eggs, caterpillars, in the chrysalis and after they come out. Some get snatched out of the air by a bird on their first flight.”;

The Fullers established a butterfly garden in their back yard, but for 10 years they've been planning a public garden, to open at Foster Botanical Garden in a couple of months. The butterflies, however, have already found it.

“;We are modeling our garden after the Smithsonian's, which is an open garden and very successful,”; Niki said. “;The butterflies will be as free to come and go as our two-footed visitors. All our experiences with open gardens around the world is that: If you build it, they will come.”;

  The main purpose is to educate, primarily children. “;People seem to know very little about butterflies,”; Jerry said. Informational signs arriving in November will describe Hawaii's 17 butterfly species, “;as well as their host plants and the part butterflies play in a healthy environment.”;

Butterflies are integral to plant reproduction, as they transport pollen from flower to flower, yet their populations are in decline because of loss of their habitats, he said.

About 12 varieties are expected to be drawn to the garden.

“;Once we get a colony established, we hope that they stay,”; Niki said. “;We are hoping that the populations will increase and multiply.”;

The key is to provide plants that offer the butterflies nectar - among them false heather, mock orange, day lilies, el dorado and lantana. Their garden also includes crown flowers and lime trees, which are host plants - in which butterflies lay eggs. The plants and flowers graduate in colors from yellows to reds and purples. “;Butterflies like bright colors,”; explained Jerry.

  “;We chose Foster because it is a beautiful, peaceful place where butterflies could exist in the midst of a large urban area, convenient to a large number of visitors who could enjoy both the butterflies and the garden,”; Niki said.

“;Many people have worked so hard to create the garden, helping with irrigation systems, planting, weeding and other landscaping issues. ... They have truly been angels.”;

The best time to spot butterflies will be from November to April, she said. “;They are coldblooded and tend to sleep in. ... They get up when the sun activates them. They sleep in the trees, and once the sun hits them, they are out and about getting their breakfast.”;

Charlotte White, retired principal from Kaiulani Elementary School, plans to volunteer as a tour guide for schoolchildren. “;Children of all ages can come and gain different experiences. There are lots of possibilities,”; White said.

“;I hope children can enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of the garden ... and learn how we are all there to support each other.”;

The Fullers continue to maintain their personal butterfly garden. “;At home we raise them from caterpillars,”; Niki said. “;(When they become) butterflies we get them on our fingers, tell them to stay away from the cats, to watch out for birds and wish them well.”;