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This past October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the lagoon – a small act that marked a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an event that assembled the island’s three chiefly clans in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

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

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an effort designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for maritime regulations shaped with and by Indigenous communities that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always traveled by water. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Canoes hold significant historical meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those practices faded under foreign occupation and religious conversion efforts.

Tradition Revival

This mission started in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was exploring how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was established.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was gaining local support,” he notes.

Project Achievements

The initiative sought to revive heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use vessel construction to enhance community pride and island partnerships.

To date, the group has produced an exhibition, published a book and enabled the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from Goro to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

In contrast to many other island territories where deforestation has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“There, they often work with synthetic materials. Here, we can still craft from natural timber,” he states. “That represents a significant advantage.”

The vessels created under the Kenu Waan Project combine Polynesian hull design with local sailing systems.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these topics are offered at advanced education. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Pacific Partnerships

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

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he says. “We’re restoring the ocean as a community.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure visited Nice, France to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and overseas representatives, he pushed for collaborative ocean management based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“You have to involve these communities – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Modern Adaptation

Now, when mariners from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they analyze boats collectively, adjust the structure and finally voyage together.

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

Integrated Mission

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

“The core concept concerns community participation: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and who decides what happens there? Heritage boats function as a means to initiate that discussion.”