Timeline practice - Polynesian Expansion - Kathyrn Ohlsson By kohlsson Period: 2000 BCE to 1500 BCE first traverlers begin to move from Asia through the islands Period: 1500 BCE to 1000 BCE the Lapita people spread across Polynesia Period: 1000 BCE to 1000 BCE Samoa is settled Period: 298 to 500 Hawiian islands settled Period: 698 to 700 Polynesians settle Rapa Nui (Easter Islands) Period: 1000 to 1000 Polynesians arrive at Aotearoa (New Zealand)