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During the autumn month of October on Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that signified a profoundly important moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an occasion that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a rare show of unity.

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

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an effort designed to reconnect local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also promote the “start of conversation” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

Global Outreach

In July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for maritime regulations developed alongside and by native populations that honor their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Traditional vessels hold significant historical significance in New Caledonia. They once stood for mobility, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those customs diminished under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Tradition Revival

The initiative began in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure worked with the government and two years later the boat building initiative – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The most difficult aspect was not wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use canoe-making to reinforce cultural identity and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the group has produced an exhibition, released a publication and facilitated the building or renovation of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other Pacific islands where deforestation has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for constructing major boats.

“Elsewhere, they often employ modern composites. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “That represents all the difference.”

The canoes constructed under the Kenu Waan Project combine oceanic vessel shapes with regional navigation methods.

Teaching Development

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing navigation and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion this knowledge are included at master’s level. It goes beyond textbooks – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Pacific Partnerships

He traveled with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Pacific vessel that sailed to Tonga for the regional gathering in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, through various islands, this represents a unified effort,” he states. “We’re taking back the ocean together.”

Political Engagement

In July, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to present a “Indigenous perspective of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and government representatives.

Before state and international delegates, he argued for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and community involvement.

“We must engage these communities – particularly fishing communities.”

Modern Adaptation

Currently, when navigators from across the Pacific – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they examine vessels together, modify the design and finally sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we help them develop.”

Comprehensive Vision

According to Tikoure, instructing mariners and supporting ecological regulations are linked.

“The fundamental issue involves public engagement: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and who decides which activities take place in these waters? Traditional vessels serve as a method to begin that dialogue.”