The islets of Ouba and Teirio have had small motels built on them, with staff travelling from the mainland of Abaiang and from Tarawa when guests are expected.

[2] As storm surges becoming more frequent and spring tides more forceful, eventually the erosion was so great that the village had to be abandoned.

Its large lagoon supports a striking diversity of coral and fish species, providing plentiful seafood to the local population and attracting tourists to the island from nearby South Tarawa.

While the island is prone to drought, in normal years the rainfall is sufficient to support breadfruit, banana and papaya as well as the ubiquitous coconut.

The closeness of Abaiang to Tarawa also facilitates a significant, though largely informal, trade in local food of all types.

Other sources of income are copra production,[7] and remittances from relatives working in South Tarawa, as crew on international vessels, or overseas.

Years passed by and then Pacific Islanders came along followed then by the arrival of Thomas Gilbert,[citation needed] then Reverend Dr. Bingham and his team in 1857,[9] international traders, beachcombers, whalers and even blackbirders.

During World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied the island from December 1941 to November 1943.

[12] The Catholic community also has strong ties to Abaiang and completed the building of the imposing Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, also at Koinawa village, in October 1907.

Its alumni include both current President His Excellency Anote Tong, and previous incumbent Teburoro Tito.

Air Kiribati operates three flights a week that connect Abaiang with Marakei and the international airport at South Tarawa.

[13] The Island Council guest house is situated in Taburao village and welcomes tourists as well as providing accommodation for Government workers and other travellers.

Abaiang inspired the Italian comic book creator Hugo Pratt to imagine the fictional island of Escondida.