Why would the people of Ghalas-at be excited about leaving the island?

After the Aleuts attack the islanders, only fifteen people are left in the tribe – and none of them are able-bodied men. Everyone has to do double duty to survive, and the new chief, Kimki, eventually sails to the mainland in hopes of finding a place for the tribe to relocate. The survivors are not able to take care of themselves and survive, thus, they are excited to leave for the mainland.