Hunters could return with a "lost" villager they have found...this villager could be good in that he/she brings help/technology/master skill in something to help the village.....or could turn out to be really bad...a shawman that creates problems...storms...drought...famine..disease to the village?
I love the idea of them possibly not returning at all...or returning with little or tons of extra food.
These lil guys must have the ability to build boats....they built one to get off the first island that was being destroyed...could they not build small type crafts that would not rescue them, but perhaps open areas surrounding their island to fish for more 'special' fish, or tropical creatures?
Could it not be up to the Elder(s) to decide if a boat/hunter should be sent out? They would be the ones to make that decision?
Could the fresh water well be put back...only that its the childrens chore to retrieve fresh water each day? Someone mentioned wild birds or chickens...the children could gather the eggs? We have a sewing hut for clothes, what about a storage to keep the various food stuffs seperated, to create different stews with your own option of food to put in it...with different effects depending on the combinations put in? Maybe thats getting a lil too complicated? They could uncover more relics of days gone by (masks..arrow heads...spears...pottery..ect that could either aid in their daily living and skill building or be cursed?