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In October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that signified a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an gathering that brought together the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a initiative that seeks to restore traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an effort intended to reunite local Kanak populations with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

This past July, he visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for maritime regulations developed alongside and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a while,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those practices faded under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Program Successes

The program worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, mentor apprentice constructors and use canoe-making to enhance traditional heritage and island partnerships.

To date, the team has produced an exhibition, released a publication and supported the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where deforestation has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often work with modern composites. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he states. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The vessels constructed under the Kenu Waan Project integrate oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been teaching seafaring and ancestral craft methods at the educational institution.

“It’s the first time this knowledge are included at advanced education. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the heritage craft that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re taking back the sea collectively.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Traditional understanding of the ocean” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and international delegates, he argued for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“We must engage them – particularly fishing communities.”

Current Development

Today, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, refine the construction and finally voyage together.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

For Tikoure, educating sailors and supporting ecological regulations are interrelated.

“It’s all about community participation: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs which activities take place there? The canoe is a way to start that conversation.”