Kahuna

Originally, Kahuna was the Hawaiian title for a priest, expert, teacher, and/or adviser, and the term is still used in that context by native Hawaiians. (See ancient Hawai'i) A kahuna nui was a high priest.

The use of the term in reference to surfing can be traced back to the film Gidget (1959), 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. (See also "The Big Kahuna".)

Other meanings:

• 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.

• Kahuna is also a popular game [1].

• Kahuna is a brand of watches and surf jewelery [2].

• Kahuna is also a Live Production Switcher manufactured by Snell & Wilcox [3].