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During the autumn month of October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that signified a highly meaningful moment.

It was the inaugural voyage of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an occasion that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has led a project that aims to revive heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been constructed in an initiative intended to reunite Indigenous Kanak people with their maritime heritage. Tikoure states the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he visited France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance created in consultation with and by native populations that acknowledge their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always traveled by water. We lost that for a while,” Tikoure explains. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative began in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was looking at how to bring back heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was launched.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Program Successes

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to reinforce cultural identity and inter-island cooperation.

So far, the organization has organized a showcase, released a publication and facilitated the construction or restoration of approximately thirty vessels – from Goro to the northeastern coast.

Natural Resources

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

“There, they often use modern composites. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he says. “That represents all the difference.”

The boats built under the Kenu Waan Project merge Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and traditional construction history at the local university.

“It’s the first time this knowledge are taught at master’s level. This isn’t academic – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Pacific Partnerships

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the heritage craft that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the sea collectively.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure visited the French city to present a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

In front of government and overseas representatives, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on local practices and community involvement.

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

Current Development

Now, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they study canoes together, refine the construction and finally sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

According to Tikoure, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“It’s all about community participation: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who decides what occurs on it? Heritage boats serve as a method to start that conversation.”