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In October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that represented a highly meaningful moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in many decades, an occasion that brought together the island’s main family lineages in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a project that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he visited France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies shaped with and by native populations that recognise their relationship with the sea.

“Our ancestors always traveled by water. We abandoned that practice for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold significant historical importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised travel, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those practices declined under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure collaborated with the government and after two years the boat building initiative – known as Project Kenu Waan – was born.

“The most difficult aspect was not cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, train young builders and use boat-building to reinforce cultural identity and inter-island cooperation.

So far, the group has created a display, released a publication and supported the creation or repair of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

In contrast to many other Pacific islands where tree loss has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often work with synthetic materials. In our location, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

The vessels constructed under the Kenu Waan Project combine oceanic vessel shapes with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

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

Pacific Partnerships

Tikoure sailed with the crew of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Throughout the region, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he says. “We’re taking back the ocean as a community.”

Policy Advocacy

During the summer, Tikoure visited the French city to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Addressing official and foreign officials, he argued for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and participation.

“We must engage local populations – especially those who live from fishing.”

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when navigators from various island nations – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, modify the design and eventually sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the old models, we help them develop.”

Holistic Approach

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and supporting ecological regulations are connected.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who determines what occurs in these waters? Traditional vessels function as a means to start that conversation.”