On the other hand, with coco-nut, bananas and bread-fruit, they had abundant means of sustenance, and were thoroughly at home in their magnificent canoes.

Thus their island-life was rich in ease and variety; and, whilst rude in certain respects, they were almost civilized in others.

Their racial affinities are somewhat complex.
What is almost certain is that they only occupied the Eastern Pacific during the course of the last 1500 years or so.

They probably came from Indonesia, mixing to a slight extent with Melanesians on their way.

How the proto-Polynesians came into existence in Indonesia is more problematic.