Treasury Islands ( ) are a small group of islands a few kilometers to the south of Bougainville and 24 kilometers from the Shortland Islands. They form part of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. The two largest islands in the Treasuries are Mono Island and the smaller Stirling Island. The deep water straights between these two islands is called Blanche Harbor. It wasn't until 1788 that these islands were found by the British naval officer Lieutenant Shortland. During World War II the islands were held by the Japanese until October 25-27, 1943, when the islands were invaded via amphibious assault by units of the New Zealand 8th Brigade. Following the invasion, an airstrip was built on the flatter Stirling Island by the USN 87th Construction battalion. This airfield was then used to support a campaign to neutralize Japanese air power at Rabaul. Stirling airfield is still in use today by the Solomons Airlines.
