title: Magusaiai
text: # Magusaiai
  
  Magusaiai is an island of the Shortland Islands archipelago, located in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands is the Pacific Ocean. The estimated terrain elevation above sea level is some 14 metres.
  
  ## Village
  
  Maleai village is the largest village on the eastern tip of Magusaiai Island. To the east lies Tuha Channel, between Poporang Island and Shortland Island. A pre-war Catholic mission church was built at this location. The area around the village was the site of the ceramic production.
  
  ## Wartime history
  
  On March 30, 1942, the island was occupied by the Japanese when they took over the Shortland Islands. The island remained occupied until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945. From November 30 to December 17, 1943, the island was a target for American air missions.
  
  