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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 seemingly minor event that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the maiden journey of a heritage boat on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that brought together the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

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

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an initiative intended to reunite local Kanak populations with their seafaring legacy. Tikoure says the boats also facilitate the “opening of discussions” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

During the summer month of July, he visited France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies developed alongside and by local tribes that honor their connection to the ocean.

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

Heritage boats hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once symbolised movement, exchange and family cooperations across islands, but those practices declined under colonisation and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative began in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to reintroduce ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure partnered with the government and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The biggest challenge wasn’t wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he explains.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project sought to revive ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to enhance traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the organization has organized a showcase, released a publication and supported the building or renovation of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Resource Benefits

In contrast to many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has limited lumber availability, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often work with modern composites. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “It makes a crucial distinction.”

The boats created under the Kenu Waan Project merge oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been teaching maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the educational institution.

“For the first time ever these topics are offered at graduate studies. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy during these journeys.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the crew of the Fijian vessel, the heritage craft that journeyed 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 as a community.”

Policy Advocacy

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to the French city to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he met with Macron and government representatives.

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

“We must engage them – particularly fishing communities.”

Contemporary Evolution

Now, when navigators from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they analyze boats together, modify the design and eventually navigate in unison.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, instructing mariners and advocating environmental policy are interrelated.

“The core concept concerns public engagement: what permissions exist to navigate marine territories, and what authority governs which activities take place there? The canoe is a way to start that conversation.”