Back in the late 1970s, John Paul DeJoria found himself in dire straits. With no home and recently dismissed from his job selling shampoo, he was living out of his car in Los Angeles. Yet, with just $700 to his name, he took a bold step by partnering with stylist Paul Mitchell to start a modest hair-care enterprise. This venture blossomed into John Paul Mitchell Systems, a powerhouse in the global salon industry. Fast forward a decade, and DeJoria repeated his success by co-founding Patrón tequila, which Bacardi later acquired for a staggering $5.1 billion.

Throughout his journey, DeJoria cultivated a penchant for unconventional approaches.

Take, for instance, his decision to construct a vacation home in Hawaii during the 1980s. Eschewing traditional methods, he bypassed local architects and instead ventured to Bali. There, he collaborated with artisans deep in the Indonesian jungle to create an intricate temple-style abode. This architectural feat was dismantled, shipped across the Pacific, and meticulously reassembled to overlook a secluded bay on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Now, almost 40 years later, this distinctive estate is on the market, priced at $32.5 million.

A House Built in Bali… Then Reassembled in Hawaii

The property spans approximately three acres, perched above Kiholo Bay on Hawaii’s Kona Coast. The main house encompasses about 3,600 square feet, featuring three bedrooms and expansive outdoor decks, enriched by ponds and lush tropical gardens.

What sets this property apart is the extraordinary manner of its construction.

While visiting Bali in the mid-1980s, DeJoria became fascinated with traditional temple architecture and the craftsmanship of local artisans. Inspired by what he saw, he asked a bold question: could they build him a house in Bali that could later be transported to Hawaii?

They agreed.

The house was constructed in Bali using traditional techniques and ironwood timber. Once completed, the entire structure was carefully dismantled, with each component labeled and packed for shipment across the Pacific.

When the materials arrived in Hawaii, the home was painstakingly reconstructed on DeJoria’s land overlooking Kiholo Bay. Roughly 50 local carpenters worked alongside dozens of Balinese craftsmen who traveled to Hawaii to supervise the process and ensure the temple-style design remained authentic.

The entire project reportedly took several years and cost a couple million dollars. At the time, DeJoria’s friends thought the idea was completely crazy.

Here is a video tour of the absolutely stunning property and location:

A Dragon-Roofed Temple on the Kona Coast

The finished structure looks less like a typical Hawaiian beach house and more like a Southeast Asian temple complex.

The roof is covered in shingles designed to resemble dragon scales, and carved dragon heads sit on the corners of the roofline. During heavy rains, water pours dramatically from the dragons’ mouths like fountains.

The house itself sits among multiple ponds and lush landscaping, giving the property the feel of a secluded retreat. Extensive decking surrounds the structure, and the interior is filled with Asian antiques and imported furniture collected by DeJoria and his wife, Eloise, over the years.

Privacy is another major draw. The home sits near a nature preserve with very few neighboring properties.

Why He’s Selling

Despite the uniqueness of the property, DeJoria and his wife have decided it’s time to let it go.

The couple maintains a massive real estate portfolio that includes more than ten homes around the world, including properties in Texas and California. The Hawaii property has simply become one of the least-used homes in their collection.

So after nearly 40 years of ownership, the dragon-roofed Balinese temple overlooking Kiholo Bay is now looking for its next owner.