Forty different types of kahuna are listed in the book, Tales from the Night Rainbow. Kamakau lists more than 20 in the healing professions alone, including for example Kahuna la’au lapa’au, an expert in healing; kalai wa’a, an expert canoe maker; ho’okele, an expert navigator.

Many myths have grown up around kahuna. One is that kahuna were outlawed after the white man came to Hawai’i. Although it is true that at various times specific kahuna practices were made illegal, including healing people through “superstitious means,” for the most part, most kahuna practices remained legal. [1] However, during the decline of native Hawaiian culture many kahuna died out and did not pass on their wisdom to new students. As an example, when the Hokule’a was built to be sailed to the South Pacific to prove the voyaging capabilities of the ancient Hawaiians, master navigator Mau Piailug from Satawal was brought to Hawai’i to teach the Hawaiians navigation, as no Hawaiians could be found who still had this knowledge.

With the revival of the Hawaiian culture beginning in the 1970s, some Hawaiians call themselves “kahuna” today.

The word has been given an esoteric or secret meaning by modern followers of Max Freedom Long and Huna to emphasise a priestly or shamanic standing.

Non-Hawaiian uses

The use of the term in reference to surfing can be traced back to the 1959 film Gidget, in which “The Big Kahuna”, played by Cliff Robertson, was the leader of a group of surfers. The term then became commonplace in Beach Party films of the 1960s such as Beach Blanket Bingo, where the “Big Kahuna” was the best surfer on the beach. Eventually, it was adopted into general surfing culture. Hawaiian surfing master Duke Kahanamoku may have been referred to as the “Big Kahuna” but rejected the term as he knew the true meaning of the word.[2]

· In an episode of the American TV show “Magnum P.I.”, it is said that a Kahuna can be identified by a “red flash” in his eyes.

· Kahuna or Ka Huna massage is a rhythmical style of massage.
· In some computer programming shops (for example, IBM), “kahuna” is a synonym for “wizard” or “guru” (see internet slang).

· Kahuna is also the code-name for Windows Live Mail, the successor to Microsoft’s MSN Hotmail.
· “The Big Kahuna” is the nickname for Major League Baseball Broadcaster Jon Miller.
· “Kahuna” also refers to a very large fish, usually a walleye or Bass so named by Lake Erie fishermen in the late 1970s.

· “The Big Kahuna” is the name of a burger-joint in Quentin Tarantino’s second film, Pulp Fiction. It is also seen in the Robert Rodriguez movie From Dusk Till Dawn (for which Tarantino wrote the screenplay) and mentioned in the Tarantino-directed Death Proof.

· “Kahuna Airlines” is the name of an airline company in Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel Vineland.
· There is a gaia class on the MMORPG Rappelz called Kahuna that can be seen as a buffer for other players.
· Kahuna is the main character in the game SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs.
· One who has “Big Kahunas” – Aussie Slang – denotes person who is known to be brave, without fear. Possibly derived from Spanish cojones.

· Title of some of the world’s largest, fattest men.

Notes

1. ^ Chai, Makana Risser (2005). Na Mo’olelo Lomilomi: The Traditions of Hawaiian Massage and Healing. Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 158178046X.
2. ^ Hall, Sandra Kimberly (2004). Duke: A Great Hawaiian. Bess Press. ISBN 1573062308.

This kahuna wants you to know that his kahunaness is in reference to his pronounced belly it referes in no way to his cojones.

WE are hoping we do not see any kahuna or ” magic stickgame” appear in the Carnical Capers” on our next cruise.. then we might have to think about changing cruiselines”
Take Care
The Tuckers
Arnold & Elizabeth
360 Days till we see you again

To Mr. Cahill – our deepest sympathy in the loss of your fish. We have koi in our pond and they stay there year round…. yes, even in the cold Wisconsin winters, they stay in thier pond outdoors and occaisionally, the nieghbor cats like to come and peek at them through the hole in the ice. No…. they don’t die from the cold… they hibernate, just like “Bears”. We rarely lose any, if we do is because of the cats.

Well, John, we had such a wonderful time on the “1st Annual Bloggers Cruise” that we can hardly wait for the 2nd …or reunion cruise. And what evil can Big Ed’s crew come up with between now and then! John, I don’t know how you can top the 2008 Bloggers Cruise, but I am confident you will have lots of surprises awaiting us in New Orleans. I have never been to New Orleans… so I am REALLY looking forward to it. Carl is already checking out hotels for us. He’s been there several times and loves it.
Hello to Heidi! Big Bear Hugs to you both!
Barb

PS…. Hello to the beautiful Stephanie and the very handsome Roberto!

Requested 3/18 at 2030 on the Glory for 2 people.

thx!!!!

Ah yes, you’re right. I’ve just tried to make a call on mine, and Raspberry is certainly the noise it made……

We arrived home tonight safe and sound. Thank you for a wonderful time on the Jan 28th cruise.

We also had a blast on the the Feb 02 cruise!!

Karaoke was the best I had ever experienced…and if you think I was a hoot as Gloria …. you should have seen me last night as Sir Elton John….

film at 11 !!!!

What, you can’t compose a complete blog on a Raspberry? Really?

I know the Freedom is in great hands – Noortje’s. I just hope that Todd was kind enough to buy that girl a cup of coffee before he left the ship.

Looking forward to finding out if you would shift your allegiances to the Phoenix Suns or remaining a Miami Heat fan.

Jon

Brillant move by the Miami Heat! He is overpaid, does not play much or well. The Heat did real well in getting two good players!

Doesn’t Mickey Arison (Captain Carnival) own the Heat?

Thanks,
The Sheriff

Only 93 days?? until mama Sheriff and I hit the Glory. I hear there is a nice Brig on board.

John, mate, I have missed a reply!

Your mate,

Rosco P. Coltrane
Sheriff Of Hazzard County, Georgia