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During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that marked a deeply symbolic moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an gathering that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the last eight years, he has spearheaded a program that works to resurrect traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been crafted in an initiative designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also help the “start of conversation” around sea access rights and conservation measures.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he travelled to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies developed alongside and by local tribes that recognise their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always traveled by water. We abandoned that practice for a period,” Tikoure says. “Currently we’re rediscovering it again.”

Canoes hold significant historical significance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, interaction and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions diminished under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Tradition Revival

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was exploring how to bring back heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the government and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge was not cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he notes.

Project Achievements

The program aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, mentor apprentice constructors and use canoe-making to enhance traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the organization has produced an exhibition, published a book and enabled the construction or restoration of nearly three dozen boats – from the far south to the northern shoreline.

Natural Resources

Different from many other Pacific islands where forest clearing has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls.

“There, they often use synthetic materials. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he explains. “That represents a crucial distinction.”

The vessels built under the program integrate 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 University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these topics are included at advanced education. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve lived. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

He traveled with the crew of the traditional boat, the Fijian canoe that sailed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“Throughout the region, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re reclaiming the sea as a community.”

Political Engagement

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to present a “Indigenous perspective of the marine environment” when he met with Macron and additional officials.

In front of government and international delegates, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on Indigenous traditions and participation.

“You have to involve local populations – most importantly people dependent on marine resources.”

Current Development

Now, when mariners from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels collectively, modify the design and eventually sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Holistic Approach

According to Tikoure, educating sailors and supporting ecological regulations are connected.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: who has the right to travel ocean waters, and who determines what happens on it? Heritage boats serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”