Final answer:
European explorers were particularly impressed by the advanced navigational skills of the Polynesians, who used innovative maps and expertise in sailing to traverse the vast Pacific Ocean.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Europeans first made contact with the Polynesian islands, they were taken aback by several aspects of Polynesian society and the islands themselves. One of the most remarkable things that they noted was the Polynesians' navigational skills. The Polynesians had developed advanced naval and navigational tools that enabled them to sail across large expanses of open sea and connect distant islands. They created innovative maps that were crucial for their voyages across the Pacific Ocean, demonstrating sophisticated spatial awareness and understanding of the stars and currents. This skill was a necessity for life in Oceania, where the population resides on thousands of islands scattered across thousands of miles of ocean.