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BORA BORA

History
The island was settled by Tongan people about the 4th century. While the island was sighted by earlier explorers, James Cook led the first group of Europeans to visit the island in 1777.

In 1842 Bora Bora was made a protectorate of France.


[edit] World War II
During World War II, following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, Bora Bora was chosen as a South Pacific Military supply base by the United States, and an oil depot, airstrip, seaplane base, and defensive fortifications were constructed. However, the island saw no combat as the American presence on Bora Bora went uncontested over the course of the war. Although the base was officially closed on June 2, 1946, so many American personnel loved the island and the people that they refused to leave. Some had to be forcibly removed following complaints from their families.

The development of the airstrip in World War II meant that Bora Bora remained French Polynesia's only international airport until Faa'a International Airport was opened in Papeete, Tahiti in 1962. The airstrip at Bora Bora was never able to accommodate large-sized aircraft.