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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the lagoon – a seemingly minor event that marked a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an event that brought together the island’s main family lineages in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the last eight years, he has overseen a initiative that seeks to restore ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been crafted in an project designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for maritime regulations created in consultation with and by native populations that recognise their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always traveled by water. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Canoes hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, trade and clan alliances across islands, but those traditions faded under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was looking at how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure worked with the authorities and after two years the vessel restoration program – known as Project Kenu Waan – was launched.

“The most difficult aspect didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and island partnerships.

So far, the team has created a display, issued a volume and enabled the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

Unlike many other island territories where forest clearing has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for crafting substantial vessels.

“Elsewhere, they often employ marine plywood. In our location, we can still craft from natural timber,” he explains. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

The boats created under the initiative integrate traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been teaching navigation and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time these topics are included at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the team of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that traveled to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Throughout the region, from Fiji to here, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage collectively.”

Political Engagement

In July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to present a “Traditional understanding of the ocean” when he conferred with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and foreign officials, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and community involvement.

“We must engage local populations – especially people dependent on marine resources.”

Modern Adaptation

Currently, when sailors from various island nations – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they examine vessels collectively, refine the construction and ultimately navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

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

“The core concept concerns public engagement: who has the right to move across the sea, and who decides what happens on it? The canoe serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”