10% of the gene pool of Rapanui had Indigenous American origin BEFORE any Europeans arrived on Rapanui (Easter Island)

 begin partial quote from:

Landmark Genetics Study Shows Easter Island Population Collapse Never Happened

 

Although 2,100 miles of ocean separate Rapa Nui and South America, the genetic analysis also showed that the Rapanui people were in contact with Indigenous Americans before Europeans arrived on the island.

The team found that approximately ten percent of the Rapanui gene pool has an Indigenous American origin. But more importantly, they were able to infer both populations met before Europeans arrived on the island and in the Americas.