This list is outdated.
For the Island environment and culture you can try this.
For the story this.
For character blurbs this.
It is really simple, if it has no link it came from the story bible. Links usually mean they are pitches and usually not cannon. Quoted parts are proposals accepted as cannon.
If this does not cover everything you can try general questions where most of the questions asked have been answered.
As far as I remember, kanohis are not essential for life, they give powers in a limited way. Were addictive and were sealed by the Toa to prevent a civil war of sorts.