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In October on Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an event that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has led a project that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an project aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he visited France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations developed alongside and by native populations that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Forefathers always navigated the ocean. We abandoned that practice for a while,” Tikoure explains. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold profound traditional importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those customs declined under foreign occupation and missionary influences.

Heritage Restoration

This mission started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to restore traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and after two years the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The hardest part didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he says.

Program Successes

The initiative worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, mentor apprentice constructors and use boat-building to reinforce cultural identity and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the team has created a display, published a book and facilitated the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where forest clearing has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “It makes all the difference.”

The vessels built under the program combine Polynesian hull design with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are offered at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – this is knowledge I’ve lived. I’ve crossed oceans on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

He voyaged with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, from Fiji to here, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he states. “We’re restoring the ocean collectively.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Indigenous perspective of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and foreign officials, he argued for collaborative ocean management based on Kanak custom and participation.

“You have to involve them – most importantly those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Today, when sailors from various island nations – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats collectively, adjust the structure and ultimately sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the traditional forms, we help them develop.”

Comprehensive Vision

In his view, educating sailors and supporting ecological regulations are interrelated.

“It’s all about how we involve people: who has the right to navigate marine territories, and who determines which activities take place in these waters? The canoe function as a means to begin that dialogue.”