The island was most probably settled by Polynesians who navigated in canoes or catamarans from the Marquesas Islands , 3,200 km ( 2,000 miles ) away , or the Gambier Islands ( Mangareva , 2,600 km ( 1,600 miles ) away . The island was most probably populated by Polynesians who navigated in canoes or catamarans from the Marquesas Islands , 3200 k away , or the Gambier Islands ( Mangareva , 2600 k away ) .