[3] The traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation (formerly called Sliammon) includes the smaller off-shore islands such as Hernando.

[4] Along with the nearby Cortes Island, it was named in 1792 by Valdés and Galiano after Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico.

By 1915, Michael Manson had extensive landholdings, and the family managed the Campbell River Lumber Co. operations on the island.

Sicker Railway (LMSR), and run first at Campbell River, then on Hernando Island.

[10] In 1962, Prince Wilhelm zu Wied of Koblenz on the Rhine paid $80,000 for the island.

The island has a resident caretaker, dock, helipad, community garden, and tennis and basketball courts.