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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the turquoise waters – a seemingly minor event that signified a profoundly important moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a project that seeks to restore traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an project intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

In July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance shaped with and by local tribes that recognise their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always traveled by water. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Canoes hold significant historical importance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those customs diminished under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was considering how to restore heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and after two years the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The program worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use boat-building to reinforce community pride and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the team has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Different from many other Pacific islands where tree loss has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“There, they often use synthetic materials. Locally, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “That represents all the difference.”

The canoes constructed under the initiative integrate oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these topics are included at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve lived. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

Tikoure sailed with the crew of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re taking back the sea together.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to share a “Kanak vision of the marine environment” when he met with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and international delegates, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on Kanak custom and participation.

“We must engage local populations – most importantly fishing communities.”

Current Development

Today, when navigators from across the Pacific – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels collectively, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

“We don’t just copy the old models, we help them develop.”

Holistic Approach

For Tikoure, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are interrelated.

“The core concept concerns community participation: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who decides what happens there? Heritage boats is a way to initiate that discussion.”