After three successful days at Kanton, the expedition hosted the ENTIRE village for a going away party, which was enjoyed by all and a celebration of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA).
Earlier in the week the team landed on the island to spend time with the Kanton villagers and deliver educational materials to the school:

The children of Kanton Island (Photo: Larry Madin)


Greg Stone carries school materials to the Kanton Island school (Photo: Larry Madin)


Greg Stone shows a map to the Kanton children outside the school (Photo: Larry Madin)

On the last day the villagers came to the boat to celebrate. Presents were exchanged, songs were sung and Kiribati Dances performed:


Kanton villagers arrive on NAI'A for the boat party (Photo: Larry Madin)


Les Kaufman shows underwater footage during the boat party (Photo: Larry Madin)


Gift exchange with the Kanton children during the boat party (Photo: Larry Madin)


Kanton children watch footage of the school visit from earlier in the week (Photo: Larry Madin)


Expedition team members accept gifts from the Kanton villagers (Photo: Larry Madin)

The Team was sorry to leave, but we had to head on to Enderbury Island. After the party, NAI'A was escorted out of the channel at Kanton by a group of 8 leaping bottlenose dolphins.

-Greg Stone, PIPA Expedition Leader