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In October on Lifou island, a double-hulled canoe was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that marked a profoundly important moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an event that brought together the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a project that works to resurrect traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure says the boats also facilitate the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for ocean governance shaped with and by local tribes that recognise their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a while,” Tikoure says. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold profound traditional significance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those customs diminished under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Tradition Revival

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was exploring how to reintroduce traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the administration and after two years the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use boat-building to enhance community pride and inter-island cooperation.

So far, the group has organized a showcase, published a book and enabled the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Resource Benefits

In contrast to many other Pacific islands where deforestation has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for crafting substantial vessels.

“Elsewhere, they often work with marine plywood. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The boats built under the Kenu Waan Project combine oceanic vessel shapes with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been educating students in seafaring and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are included at master’s level. It’s not theory – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He voyaged with the crew of the Fijian vessel, the heritage craft that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re taking back the ocean together.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and government representatives.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he advocated for cooperative sea policies based on Kanak custom and local engagement.

“We must engage these communities – most importantly people dependent on marine resources.”

Modern Adaptation

Today, when mariners from throughout the region – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, refine the construction and ultimately navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are interrelated.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: who is entitled to move across the sea, and who determines what occurs in these waters? Heritage boats serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”