Sometimes it's the little touches in a game that add that something extra and enrich gameplay. In this game, I love that the villagers react when you pick them up, that you can sound the drum by the school, and that you can make splashes in the lagoon and ocean. I'd love to see a few more of those in this game:
- Get some reaction from the idol: a hearty laugh (as if you were tickling him when you touch him), or a deep voice saying something ("you rang?").
- The sound of coins falling or something when you touch the treasure chest, maybe a creaking noise like the lid was being moved.
- A gong or chimes or a horn when you touch the temple. Actually, it'd be really neat if the top of each temple arch rang a different note, so you could play a 5-note tune if you wanted to (hey, and then we could all share our little island songs!).

Any other ideas out there?

Maybe a retirement hut for the elderly. When they start to move really slow they just take to long. So instead of them working themselves to death at an old age we should have them just sit in a rocker telling everyone else how to do the job. They have earned that right.

I agree I set all of my elderly to doctors (they always make sure they eat and drink enough water, and it seems the least arduous occupation (no offence to the medical profession.. haha)

yeah, that would be cool... and maybe the rockers could creak when the "Hand of God" touches them.
Or maybe the elders could go take naps in hammocks!

That would be nice, you could assign a couple of the younger villagers to bring water and food to them.

It would also be nice to use the elders as teachers at the school.

great ideas!