<P> The commune of Bora - Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef, 29.3 km (11.3 sq mi) in total . The surrounding islets include Motu Tapu, Motu Ahuna, Tevairoa, Motu Tane, Motu Mute, Motu Tufari, Motu Tehotu, Motu Pitiaau, Sofitel Motu, Motu Toopua, and Toopuaiti . The commune also includes the Tūpai atoll. (11 km or 4.2 sq mi), located 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Bora Bora . The atoll of Tūpai has no permanent population apart from about 50 workers in the coconut plantations . </P> <P> The commune is an administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands and consists of three associated communes: Anau, Faanui and Vaitape . The administrative centre of the commune is the settlement of Vaitape, on the island of Bora Bora proper . Gaston Tong Sang is the Mayor of the commune of Bora - Bora, serving since 1989 . </P> <P> The island's economy is driven almost solely by tourism . Several resorts have been built on motu (small islands, from Tahitian) surrounding the lagoon . Hotel Bora Bora opened in 1961, and nine years later built the first over-the - water bungalows on stilts over the lagoon . Today, over-water bungalows are a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts . The quality of those bungalows ranges from comparably cheap, basic accommodations to very luxurious and expensive places to stay . </P> <P> Most of the tourist destinations are aqua - centric; however it is possible to visit attractions on land such as WWII cannons . Air Tahiti has five or six flights daily to the Bora Bora Airport on Motu Mute from Tahiti (as well as from other islands). Public transport on the island is nonexistent so rental cars and bicycles are the recommended methods of transport . There are also small, two - seater buggies for hire in Vaitape . It is possible to rent a motorboat to explore the lagoon . </P>

What are the houses in bora bora called