To the Hawaiian people, certain words, when used properly, would insure success and longevity. If used improperly, they could result in failure or even death.

Because the name Pu'u Loa implied long life, generations of Hawaiians believed they could insure their children a long life by placing a segment of the babies umbilical cord in holes carved here and covered with a rock.  

Circles of holes, as seen in this picture, may represent family groups.

Areas such as Pu'u Loa were used as long as the power, or mana, was strong.

This large concentration of petroglyphs (Ki'i pohaku) shows that this place must have been powerful and successful.