Nissan Island (also Green Island^[1] or Sir Charles Hardy Island^[2]) is the largest of the Green Islands of Papua New Guinea. It is located at 4°30′S 154°13′E / 4.500°S 154.217°E / -4.500; 154.217, about 200 km east of Rabaul on New Britain and about 200 km north-west of Bougainville.^[3] The island is administered under Nissan Rural LLG in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.^[4] Nissan island, along with other nearby islands, has been described as a "stepping stone island" and it is believed that this island plays an important role in helping various plant and animal species spread throughout the region.^[3]

Based upon pottery fragments discovered in archeological excavations researchers have determined that the inhabitants of this island commonly engaged in trade with the inhabitants of Buka Island.^[3] Commonly traded items would have included pigs, pottery, and shell money.^[3]

British and American whaling vessels visited the island in the nineteenth century for food, water and wood. The first on record was the Addison in 1837, and the last was Palmetto in 1881.^[5]

During World War II, in the Battle of the Green Islands, US and New Zealand troops recaptured several islands from heavily outnumbered Imperial Japanese forces. The New Zealand 3rd Division landed on Nissan Island on 15 February 1944^[6] as part of the Solomon Islands campaign to isolate the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul. Shortly after the landings two airfields were constructed on the island.^[7] Richard Nixon was a supply officer on the base, and is remembered as being popular with the indigenous inhabitants. There was also a PT boat base on another island nearby. There were approximately 17,000 allied troops on the island at that time. Much of the indigenous population was removed to Guadalcanal for about seven to nine months. After that time the front line had moved closer to Japan and the island was no longer needed in the war effort.^{[citation needed]}

• Nissan Rural LLG

v t e LLGs and Districts of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville‎, Papua New Guinea
North Bougainville District	Atolls Rural Buka Rural Kunua Rural Nissan Rural Selau/Suir Rural Tinputz Rural
Central Bougainville District	Arawa Rural Wakunai Rural
South Bougainville District	Bana Rural Buin Rural Siwai Rural Torokina Rural
New Guinea portal

v t e Islands of Papua New Guinea
Ali Brumer D'Entrecasteaux Islands Dobu Fergusson Goodenough Normanby Sanaroa Wagifa Dart Reefs Daru Goaribari Kiwai Mailu New Guinea Nuakata Nukumanu Purutu Seleo Trobriands Kiriwina Tumleo Vitu Islands Unea Wabuda Woodlark Boagis Madau Marshall Bennett Nubara Nusam Yule
Bismarck Archipelago	Admiralty Islands Baluan Big Ndrova Bipi Little Ndrova Los Negros Lou Manus Pak Pam Islands Pityilu Island Ponam Island Purdy St. Andrews Islands Rambutyo Tong Baudisson Bagabag Duke of York Islands Duke of York Island Kabakon Kerawara Makada Mioko Mualim Ulu Dyaul Feni Islands Ambitle Babase Karkar Lihir Group Lihir Island Long Manam Manne New Britain New Hanover New Ireland Patio Ritter St Matthias Islands Emirau Mussau Sakar Schouten Islands Bam Blup Blup Kadovar Mut Mut Vial Selapiu Tabar Group Simberi Tabar Tatau Tanga Islands Boang Lif Malendok Tefa Tolokiwa Tsoilaunung Umboi Western Islands Aua Hermit Islands Kaniet Islands Ninigo Islands Sae Wuvulu
Louisiade Archipelago	Bonvouloir Islands East Hastings Strathord Islands Calvados Chain Bagaman Gulewa Hemenahei Kuwanak Motorina Pana Wina Utian Conflict Group Auriroa Lunn Daloloia Group Deboyne Islands Panaeati Panapompom Duchateau Islands Dumoulin Islands Engineer Islands Misima Jomard Islands Panarairai Pana Tinani Pocklington Reef Renard Islands Rossel (Yela) Samarai Islands Basilaki Gonubalabala Kui Samarai Sideia Vanatinai Yeina
North Solomon Islands	Bougainville Buka Carteret Islands Green Islands Barahun Nissan Pinipel Sirot Takuu
New Guinea portal • Islands portal