[2] Human presence on Huahine dates back to at least a millennium ago, as evinced by the numerous Marae on the island.

Archaeologists estimate that the ancient Tahitian Maʻohi people colonized Huahine from at least the 9th century AD.

The Polynesian prince Teriifaʻatau Marama could lay claim to the thrones of Huahine and Raiatea at the same time.

In 1884, Teriifaʻatau Marama obtained the position of prime minister, a post previously held by his younger brother, who had become King that year.

It was in 1895 that the regent, on behalf of Queen Tehaapapa, and the principal chiefs of the kingdom fully renounced their powers and privileges in favor of France, in a treaty of abdication dated 15 September of that year.

Captain James Cook arrived in Fare Harbour on 16 July 1769, with Tupaia navigating HMS Endeavour.

Cook returned on 3 September 1773 and met with Ori's son Teriʻitaria, the new ariʻi rahi of the island.

On 20 April 1879, the commander of the SMS Bismarck, Karl Deinhard, and the German Empire's consul for the South Sea Islands, Gustav Godeffroy Junior, signed a treaty of friendship and commerce with the island's government on behalf of the German Empire.

[12] The last queen, Te-haʻapapa III, was deposed, and the island incorporated into the French Establishments of Oceania, in 1895.

Most of the population follows Christianity as a result of the activity of missionaries from both the Catholic Church and various Protestant groups, and European colonization.

[19] Catholics, under the direction of the Archdiocese of Papeete, administer one religious building, the Church of the Holy Family (Église de la Sainte-Famille)[20] which was reopened in the town of Fare[20] (northwest of the island) on 30 October 2010.

Tourism through cruise ship passengers calling at the atoll and the airport is another important economic sector.

One of the famous attractions on Huahine is a bridge that crosses over a stream with 0.9-to-1.8 m (3-to-6 ft) long freshwater eels.

The island has scheduled passenger airline flights operated by Air Tahiti with ATR turboprop aircraft via the Huahine - Fare Airport.