The airstrip was under construction by engineers of the Imperial Japanese Navy when it was captured by the American 1st Marine Division.

Henderson, commanding officer of VMSB-241, had died while leading his squadron in an attack against Japanese carrier forces.

[citation needed] Finishing and repairing the field became the main project of the Seabees of Naval Construction Battalion 6.

[citation needed] Control of the airstrip was the focus of months of fighting in the Battle for Henderson Field during the Guadalcanal campaign of World War II and the Seabees ensured that the airstrip remained operational throughout the battle.

[citation needed] A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck 57 km southwest of Honiara on 22 November 2022.