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

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in many decades, an event that assembled the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Seafarer and campaigner Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has overseen a initiative that works to resurrect ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an effort aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around maritime entitlements and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

This past July, he visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies developed alongside and by local tribes that recognise their connection to the ocean.

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

Heritage boats hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once symbolised mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those practices diminished under foreign occupation and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey began in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was exploring how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and two years later the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The hardest part didn’t involve wood collection, it was convincing people,” he says.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project aimed to restore heritage voyaging practices, train young builders and use canoe-making to enhance community pride and island partnerships.

To date, the organization has organized a showcase, released a publication and enabled the building or renovation of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Resource Benefits

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where tree loss has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“There, they often employ marine plywood. In our location, we can still carve solid logs,” he says. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The canoes constructed under the program merge Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been teaching seafaring and ancestral craft methods at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these topics are included at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve crossed oceans on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He voyaged with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the heritage craft that traveled to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re restoring the ocean as a community.”

Policy Advocacy

During the summer, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Traditional understanding of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he pushed for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and participation.

“You have to involve local populations – particularly those who live from fishing.”

Current Development

Now, when sailors from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, modify the design and finally voyage together.

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

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, educating sailors and supporting ecological regulations are linked.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and who decides what occurs on it? Traditional vessels serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”