Paradise Regained
12-oz Long Board Lager, Kalalau Lookout, Kauai, Hawaii

In another image from Hale Akele's home turf of Kauai, this image wistfully evokes a bygone era of Hawaiian culture, when warrior kings ruled the islands before the arrival of white men. The noble Long Board bottle gazes apprehensively out to sea, at once curious and yet apprehensive of the danger to come.

Hale Akele's assignment of anthropomorphic qualities to a beer bottle is evocative of native Hawaiian religious practices, which finds living spirits in the rocks, trees, ocean, and air. Indeed, "Paradise Regained" represents a period in which Hale Akele began to explore her native culture in more depth, finding in alcoholic photography an outlet for her expression.

As an interesting historic footnote, the Kalalau Lookout where this photo was taken was the location of some of the earlier Hawaiian ha'na ale ale nakas, religious and social ceremonies that were the modern equivalent of a church service and a kegger party all rolled into one.