Family

Birth, children and family related figures predominate in many petroglyph fields, especially at Puu Loa .		This cave at Puu Loa is surrounded and covered with thousands of piko.
The sign at the Puu Loa site states: "To the Hawai'ian 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 Puu Loa implied long life, generations of Hawai'ians 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 may represent family groups. Areas such as Puu Loa were used as long as the power, or mana, was strong. This large concentration of petroglyphs shows that this place must have been powerful and successful. ......"

Female Hawai'ian petroglyphs are often shown with an open torso, representing the birth canal.		A squatting figure is used to show a woman in birthing position.

	Ohana petroglyphs

These female figures, in birthing position, have their arms outstretched in a protective gesture over multiple piko.		This type of figure is found at several sites.


Anaeho'omalu	Anaeho'omalu	Puu Loa

	Sometimes a piko is closely associated with other petroglyphs which might give insight into the child's future occupation.
Puu Loa		Puu Loa