Kioa Island is actually inhabited by people from Vaitupu Island in Tuvalu. Vaitupu became so overpopulated in the ’40s that a number of families migrated to Kioa. They are now Fijian citizens, but they retain their own culture. There is a south-facing anchorage off the village that isn’t named on the chart.
Rich and I were about the only boat that never made it to this anchorage. It’s a village-intensive experience and we’re just not that into it, especially in an anchorage that’s open to the south. But we hear the people are wonderful, and if you love visiting kids in schools and interacting with friendly villagers, then don’t miss this. Also, they put on a traditional Tuvaluan dance ceremony for visiting tourists from one of the dive resorts, and if there’s room they’ll invite visiting cruisers to attend free of charge. (I’m not sure how often this takes place.)
As far as the sevusevu, it depends. We’ve heard that since they are not Fijian and are conservative, they prefer a gift for the community center (cookies, tea, etc). Someone else told us they do like kava and appreciate it as a gift. In any case, bring a gift. They don’t do a traditional sevusevu, but they do take gifts.
(Sevusevu sort of).
Below is a post explaining our decision not to come to Salia Village: