kahuna

/kəˈhuːnə/

NOUN

1. A Hawaiian priest or religious specialist

A traditional Hawaiian religious practitioner, priest, or expert responsible for spiritual practices, rituals, healing, or sacred knowledge.

A person in traditional Hawaiian society who possesses religious knowledge and performs spiritual ceremonies, rituals, or healing practices.

The kahuna performed a traditional ceremony to bless the village.
The community sought guidance from a respected kahuna who understood ancient Hawaiian spiritual practices.

A person possessing specialized knowledge or skills in a traditional Hawaiian discipline, such as medicine, navigation, fishing, or craftsmanship.

The kahuna was highly respected for his knowledge of traditional Hawaiian navigation.
A skilled kahuna taught younger generations the techniques of traditional healing.

NOUN

A person regarded as especially powerful, prominent, influential, or important within a particular group or field.

Someone who holds considerable authority, influence, or status within an organization, community, or industry.

She is considered a kahuna in the technology industry because of her extensive experience and influence.
The company's top kahunas gathered to discuss the proposed acquisition.

A highly respected person recognized for exceptional knowledge, experience, or achievement in a particular subject or profession.

Everyone consulted the kahuna of cybersecurity before making the final decision.
He became the leading kahuna in the field of digital marketing.