Polynesian Timeline By Aster_Crust Period: 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE first travellers begin to move from Asia through the islands Period: 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE the Lapita people spread across Polynesia 1000 BCE Samoa is settled Period: 300 to 500 Hawaiian Islands settled 700 Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Islands) 1000 Polynesians arrive at Aotearoa (New Zealand)