Ancient Voyagers Linked: Easter Island to Hawaii

Centuries ago, seafarers from Easter Island undertook an extraordinary voyage, traversing over 4,400 miles of ocean to reach Hawaii. Recent genetic research, published in the journal Science, indicates that Native Hawaiians share the closest genetic relationship with the people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Analysis of whole genomes by Stanford University and the University of California, San Diego, reconstructed family trees of Polynesian islands. The data suggests that the initial settlers of Easter Island arrived in the 1200s from French Polynesia's Mangareva island. A subset of these voyagers then embarked on the journey to Hawaii, likely within the same century.

These monumental sea crossings were undertaken by a distinct group researchers term 'Holomoana Nui,' meaning 'great ocean voyaging.' This ultravoyaging community explored and settled the Pacific centuries before Europeans, carrying plants and animals like bananas, taro, sweet potato, and chickens on their journeys.

The study also highlights the implications of 'founder effects' on Polynesian populations. As small groups founded new island populations, rare genetic variants, some linked to diseases like kidney disease and blindness, became more concentrated. Researchers suggest this warrants further study and potential screenings, similar to those for other populations.