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

It was the inaugural voyage of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an gathering that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a rare show of unity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has led a project that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an project aimed at reconnecting native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “opening of discussions” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he journeyed to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies developed alongside and by Indigenous communities that acknowledge their maritime heritage.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We forgot that knowledge for a period,” Tikoure says. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for movement, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those traditions declined under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Heritage Restoration

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was exploring how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure partnered with the administration and following a two-year period the boat building initiative – known as Project Kenu Waan – was born.

“The hardest part didn’t involve wood collection, it was gaining local support,” he explains.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, train young builders and use vessel construction to reinforce traditional heritage and island partnerships.

So far, the group has produced an exhibition, issued a volume and facilitated the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to the northeastern coast.

Resource Benefits

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for crafting substantial vessels.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. In our location, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “This creates all the difference.”

The canoes constructed under the Kenu Waan Project combine traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been instructing seafaring and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“It’s the first time these subjects are included at master’s level. This isn’t academic – it’s something I’ve lived. I’ve navigated major waters on traditional boats. I’ve experienced profound emotion doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the members of the traditional boat, the Pacific vessel that traveled to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, we’re part of a collective initiative,” he explains. “We’re reclaiming the maritime heritage together.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to share a “Indigenous perspective of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and additional officials.

Before state and overseas representatives, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and local engagement.

“You have to involve local populations – most importantly fishing communities.”

Contemporary Evolution

Today, when navigators from various island nations – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – come to Lifou, they examine vessels together, modify the design and finally navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the ancient designs, we make them evolve.”

Holistic Approach

According to Tikoure, teaching navigation and promoting conservation measures are connected.

“The fundamental issue involves community participation: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and what authority governs what occurs in these waters? The canoe serve as a method to start that conversation.”