Jo Anne Van Tilburg of Rapa Nui's role in Polynesian seafaring history; Explore the natural environment of the Pacific Ocean and the ecology of Rapa Nui as part of that environment; Develop cultural exchanges with other Pacific islanders and continental peoples through the celebration of Rapa Nui maritime skills. Jo Anne Van Tilburg Jo Anne Van Tilburg is an American archaeologist best known for her research on the statues of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Her primary specialty is rock art. Van Tilburg was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1965, receiving her Ph.D. from the University of California
Polynesian Triangle Polynesian Triangle The Polynesian Triangle is a region of the Pacific Ocean with three island groups at its corners: Hawaii (formerly "the Sandwich Islands"), Easter Island ("Rapa Nui") and New Zealand ("Aotearoa"). It is often used as a simple way to define Polynesia. Outside the triangle, there are traces of Polynesian settlement as far north as Necker Island ("Mokumanamana"), as far east as Salas y Gómez Island ("Motu Motiro Hiva"), and as far south as Enderby Island ("Motu Maha"). There was also once Polynesian settlement on Norfolk Island and Kermadec Island ("Rangitahua"). However, by the time the Europeans first arrived,