Dodge unlikely to market 'Kahuna' concept

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

A spokesman for the designer of a "concept car" dubbed the Dodge Kahuna said the name was not intended to be offensive and that there are no plans to offer the car for sale.

The appearance of the Kahuna at car shows in the past year sparked a discussion via e-mail and on Web sites that culminated in an online protest petition, now signed by more than 2,000 people, who say the word, meaning "priest," should not be attached to a car.

But Sam Locricchio, a spokesman for Chrysler Group Design, said the name was "not used with malice" but instead is associated with positive attributes that suggest "a leader, trendsetter or role model."

Chrysler Group Design is the division of DaimlerChrysler, the parent company of Dodge, that produces the concept cars.

Locricchio yesterday said the Kahuna is still making the rounds of car shows. But there are no plans for its mass production, he said. Elements of a concept car's design usually turn up in future products rather than the entire vehicle being replicated, he said.

The name has "evolved over time to find its way into pop culture and entertainment," he said. "There is no effort to use the 'Kahuna' name to 'sell' product."

The Advertiser received an assortment of responses to a story about the petition, most of it supporting the protest. But there were some who found the uproar a little excessive.

"Give me a break!" wrote one reader. "The Hawaiian people have too much going on in their lives, that is serious, to get too wrapped up in such nonsense."

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.