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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the lagoon – a small act that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an event that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a project that works to resurrect heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an initiative aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he visited France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations developed alongside and by native populations that recognise their maritime heritage.

“Our ancestors always navigated the ocean. We abandoned that practice for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once represented travel, trade and clan alliances across islands, but those practices declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

This mission began in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the government and two years later the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The hardest part didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The initiative sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use canoe-making to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

So far, the team has created a display, issued a volume and facilitated the construction or restoration of around 30 canoes – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other oceanic nations where tree loss has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“There, they often employ marine plywood. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The vessels constructed under the program integrate traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and traditional construction history at the local university.

“For the first time ever these subjects are offered at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Pacific Partnerships

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

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re restoring the ocean together.”

Governance Efforts

In July, Tikoure visited the French city to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Addressing official and international delegates, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include them – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when mariners from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and finally voyage together.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Holistic Approach

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs what happens there? The canoe serve as a method to begin that dialogue.”