Posted by Lani on August 27, 2000 at 22:01:33:
In Reply to: Re: Kahuna posted by Mervin Harper on November 30, 1999 at 16:47:41:
"Aloha, To the best of my knowledge the "Big Kahuna" came from the surfing culture. It was adapted from one of the meanings
of Kahuna which meant someone who knows just a little more about something than most people. A skilled person. So the
surfer who seamed to hold a special understanding and prowess who be given the nickname. Ka huna has couple of
translations. Ka- the light Huna- Secret, concealed knowledge, knowledge which is not immediately obvious or perhaps, Kahu
Honored or high servant, knowledge Na calm, centered and balanced. Large breasts would literally be "Umauma loa" the
language plays on may words so this is only the literal translation. "
The 'big" in "Big Daddy Bray" probably comes as a translation of the word, "Nui".
And although Big Daddy Bray was know as "Big Daddy" all his adult life.
It is no longer PC to call him that, I guess.
As to the derivation of the word for Minister, "Kahuna", who can be certain at this late date?
The teaching of Huna is that it is a contraction of two words: "kahu huna". Where a Kahu is a servant or keeper, and of course, one meaning of "huna" is secret (and dust, and to break something into small particles, etc.). So to say, a "keeper of the secret (s)" would be to say, "kahu huna", contracted into "kahuna".
But a study of the root words ONLY gives the shadow of the word, what it imples, not what it means. "Kahuna" means Priest or Minister" in today's Hawaiian language.
Your pal,
Lani