Genetic study links early Hawaiian settlers to Easter Island voyagers

A team of scientists examined more than a thousand Polynesian genomes, focusing on 317 ancient Hawaiian individuals, to trace early migration patterns. By comparing inherited DNA regions and constructing 2,500 genealogies, they discovered that in 61% of the cases Hawaiians and Rapa Nui people form the closest genetic cluster. Four separate analytical approaches corroborated this relationship, pointing to a migration that likely began in the 13th century.

Researchers propose that explorers from Mangareva first arrived at Easter Island and later some members of the same crew sailed onward to Hawaii. The investigation also highlights that the small founding populations introduced a limited set of genetic variants, resulting in a higher prevalence of certain rare kidney and vision-related mutations in French Polynesia.