In ancient Hawai'i the kahuna were for more than the priests of a religious order. They were experts, trained in a variety of skills and occupations, the learned and porfessional men and women of their time. On them rested the responsibility of preserving and advancing knowledge within their specific discipline. They arrived at their positions only after more than two decades of training.

L. R. McBride collected information about the kanuna for many years through extensive research in 19th century writings and interviews with Hawaiian people. In this fascinating account he gives an accurate and unsensational account of what the kahuna meant in the Hawaiian culture of long ago. McBride includes fascinating legends and stories concerning individual kahuna. Illustrated with reproductions of historic prints, photographs and drawings by the author and others, The Kahuna presents a readable introduction to a fascinating aspect of ancient Hawaiian culture.

Contents

Foreword
Who were the Kahuna?
The origins of the kahuna
The versatile kahuna
Astronomers and navigators
Botanists and agriculturists
The geologists
The meteorologists
Artists and poets
Healers
Other professions
Sorcrers
The power of words
In conclusion
Additions and corrections 1983
Bibliography
Additions and corrections 2000
Bibliography 2000
Glossary
About the author