The lighthouse is a good example of pre-World War II "marine architecture" built by the Japanese.

[3] The entire complex is surrounded by a perimeter fence consisting of horizontal and vertical concrete posts.

To assist with navigation by ships between Palau and Chuuk Lagoon, construction on a lighthouse was started in 1938 by the Empire of Japan.

At the time, Chuuk and much of Micronesia was governed by the Japanese as part of its South Seas Mandate.

As the construction utilized forced labor from Poluwat and neighboring islands, as well as lacking heavy machinery, the lighthouse was not completed until 1940.