Based upon pottery fragments discovered in archeological excavations researchers have determined that the inhabitants of this island commonly engaged in trade with the inhabitants of Buka Island.[3] Commonly traded items would have included pigs, pottery, and shell money.[3]
British and American whaling vessels visited the island in the nineteenth century for food, water and wood. The first on record was the Addison in 1837, and the last was Palmetto in 1881.[5]
During World War II, in the Battle of the Green Islands, US and New Zealand troops recaptured several islands from heavily outnumbered Imperial Japanese forces. The New Zealand 3rd Divisionlanded on Nissan Island on 15 February 1944[6] as part of the Solomon Islands campaign to isolate the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul. Shortly after the landings two airfields were constructed on the island.[7]Richard Nixon was a supply officer on the base, and is remembered as being popular with the indigenous inhabitants. There was also a PT boat base on another island nearby. There were approximately 17,000 allied troops on the island at that time. Much of the indigenous population was removed to Guadalcanal for about seven to nine months. After that time the front line had moved closer to Japan and the island was no longer needed in the war effort.[citation needed]
^Langdon, Robert (1984), Where the whalers went: an index to the Pacific ports and islands visited by American whalers (and some other vessels) in the 19th century, Canberra, Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, p.186. ISBN086784471X
