The island is primarily notable for its role in the events after the sinking of PT-109 involving future American president John F. Kennedy.

Shortly after midnight on August 2, 1943, an American torpedo patrol boat, PT-109, was struck by a Japanese warship, killing two.

As the ship began to sink, the remaining crew swam to what is now known as Kennedy Island.

Subsequently the wounded crew made a swim and changed to Olasana Island.

Finding only coconuts but no water, Kennedy and another crew member swam to Naru Island and then canoed back some supplies to Olasana.