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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the lagoon – a small act that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an occasion that brought together the island’s primary tribal groups in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has overseen a program that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an project intended to reunite local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also promote the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Global Outreach

In July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for marine policies created in consultation with and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always traveled by water. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once stood for movement, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those practices diminished under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

The initiative started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the government and after two years the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

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

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project sought to revive traditional navigation techniques, train young builders and use vessel construction to strengthen community pride and island partnerships.

Up to now, the organization has created a display, released a publication and supported the creation or repair of approximately thirty vessels – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Natural Resources

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has diminished wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often work with modern composites. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he explains. “It makes all the difference.”

The vessels built under the initiative integrate oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these topics are taught at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Island Cooperation

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

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re taking back the ocean collectively.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure visited Nice, France to introduce a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he met with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and overseas representatives, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on Kanak custom and community involvement.

“We must engage them – most importantly fishing communities.”

Current Development

Currently, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, Micronesia and New Zealand – visit Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, modify the design and eventually sail side by side.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

In his view, instructing mariners and supporting ecological regulations are interrelated.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: who is entitled to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs which activities take place in these waters? The canoe function as a means to start that conversation.”