🔗 Share this article

During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a ancient-style canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a simple gesture that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an event that united the island’s main family lineages in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a project that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an initiative aimed at reconnecting Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

This past July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance shaped with and by native populations that recognise their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure explains. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions faded under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative began in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was exploring how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the administration and two years later the boat building initiative – known as Kenu Waan project – was launched.

“The biggest challenge was not cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The program worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use boat-building to strengthen cultural identity and regional collaboration.

So far, the team has organized a showcase, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from Goro to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often employ modern composites. In our location, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents a significant advantage.”

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

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time these subjects are offered at advanced education. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve experienced profound emotion during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

Tikoure sailed with the team of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he says. “We’re taking back the ocean together.”

Policy Advocacy

During the summer, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to introduce a “Kanak vision of the marine environment” when he met with Macron and government representatives.

Addressing official and international delegates, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and local engagement.

“You have to involve these communities – especially those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Today, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – come to Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, modify the design and ultimately navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we help them develop.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, teaching navigation and supporting ecological regulations are connected.

“It’s all about how we involve people: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and who determines what happens on it? The canoe serve as a method to start that conversation.”