a big kahuna

big kahuna

The most important or powerful person in a group, organization, business, or movement (e.g., the boss, leader, etc.). Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I think it sounds like a great idea, but you'll have to ask the big kahuna first.

a big kahuna

a grand kahuna

AMERICAN, INFORMAL

A big kahuna is a very important person in an organization. Suncorp Metway big kahuna Steve Jones may be thinking twice about his plans to start a business in North Queensland. Note: The word `kahuna' is from Hawaiian and means `wise man'.

See also: big, kahuna

References in periodicals archive ?

The case really can't be overstated - Exposed is a once-in-a-lifetime slice of awfulness, a Big Kahuna Burger of badness that may actually topple 2000's Battlefield Earth as the worst film of the millennium.

EXPOSED [...]

The case really can't be overstated - Exposed is a once-in-alifetime slice of awfulness, a Big Kahuna Burger of badness that may actually topple 2000's Battlefield Earth as the worst film of the millennium.

EXPOSED; Movies

Craig is now planning a Big Kahuna Street Food Market to take place from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, July 26, at Nelson Mandela Corner behind the library in Huddersfield town centre with a range of huts sellinga wide variety of hot food.

Craig proves a bright spark!

Take Calpers -- the California Public Employees' Retirement System -- a big kahuna with $172 billion in assets and holdings in more than 1,700 public companies.

Big pension fund weighs in on reform. (Business Briefs)

He tried a Big Kahuna last week but had to quit three-quarters of the way through.