kahuna
Island spiritual leader
A kahuna is a Hawaiian priest, healer, or expert in a traditional craft.
The word entered mainstream English mainly through the phrase big kahuna, meaning an important person or the boss: He's the big kahuna around here.
The surfing subculture helped popularize the term in mid-twentieth-century America.
Indigenous spiritual healer
- healerOne who restores health
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- manaSupernatural indwelling power
temple · oracle · divination · prophecy · chant · blessing · ceremony · offerings
Hawaiian multipurpose greeting
Expert in one field
- masterAuthority or controller
- guruRevered authority figure
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
adept · wizard · craftsman · navigator · healer · practitioner · apprentice · initiate
shaman
Indigenous spiritual healer
mana · temple · oracle · divination · prophecy · chant · blessing · ceremony · offerings · ancestors
aloha
Hawaiian multipurpose greeting
mahalo · poi · lanai · kamaaina · haole · mana · tiki · keiki
specialist
Expert in one field
maestro · adept · wizard · craftsman · navigator · healer · practitioner · apprentice · initiate
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
break · Mavericks · charger · waterman · tow-in · heavy-water
big-shot
Influential, powerful person
- hotshotShowy, skilled person
- bossWorkplace superior
- heavyweightHighest combat weight class
- HawaiiHawaii, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Maui, Waikiki Beach
- luauleis, luau feast, lei, hula, hula dancer
- Hawaiian culturealoha, hula, lei, luau, mahalo
- HawaiiansNative Hawaiians, keiki, wahine, commoners, Kamehameha
- spiritual guidesguru, lama, swami, spiritual director, zen master
- Hawaiian kapukapu system, taboo, taboos, tabu, mana
- big kahunaChief or leader