History

Formerly a part of Cauayan, this place was inhabited by natives called Negritoes. When immigrants from Panay came and settled in the coastal areas, the settlers began to group in the area where the town is now located. Traders visited this place and bartered with its settlers products like clothing made in Miag-ao, Tigbauan and Guimbal in Iloilo.Spanish authorities did not occupy Hinobaan during their time in the province since the area was still a jungle. It was visited only by people from Cauayan and the neighboring towns for hunting purposes, hence no important events were recorded about the coming if the Spaniards in the town.

When the Americans landed in Negros during World War II, Hinobaan became a historical point of entry by the US military forces. Col. Salvador Abcede, district commander of the 7th military district, established his island headquarters in this town during the Japanese occupation.

After Liberation, Hinobaan was rehabilitated by some of its pioneering residents. More settlements were established, schools were built, trails developed for the people’s convenience in going to places and in transporting their local produce to nearby towns and villages.Hinobaan was formerly part of Cauayan, the place was first inhabited by the native people the Negritos. When settlers from Panay migrated to the place and settled in the coastal area of Hinobaan they began to establish a group and later became a small village. Traders visited their place and started to make business by exchanging products like clothes, animals, and other agricultural products this was called barter system.

The name Hinobaan derived from the word “Gin-ubahan” which means stripped off after the story of a group of Cebuanos who sailed the island with Paraw  and stop in the island, because of their colorful clothes the natives robbed them and took off their clothes.