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This past October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the turquoise waters – a simple gesture that signified a profoundly important moment.

It was the first launch of a heritage boat on Lifou in generations, an occasion that united the island’s primary tribal groups in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was the driving force behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has led a project that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been constructed in an initiative intended to reunite native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around maritime entitlements and ecological regulations.

Diplomatic Efforts

In July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for marine policies shaped with and by local tribes that acknowledge their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We abandoned that practice for a time,” Tikoure explains. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural meaning in New Caledonia. They once represented movement, trade and tribal partnerships across islands, but those practices declined under foreign occupation and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to restore heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the authorities and following a two-year period the canoe construction project – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

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

Initiative Accomplishments

The initiative aimed to restore heritage voyaging practices, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the team has created a display, issued a volume and enabled the construction or restoration of nearly three dozen boats – from the southern region to the northeastern coast.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where tree loss has limited wood resources, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often employ marine plywood. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he says. “That represents a crucial distinction.”

The boats created under the program combine traditional boat forms with local sailing systems.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and ancestral craft methods at the local university.

“For the first time ever these subjects are included at advanced education. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

He traveled with the team of the Uto ni Yalo, the Pacific vessel that journeyed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage collectively.”

Policy Advocacy

In July, Tikoure journeyed to Nice, France to share a “Kanak vision of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and additional officials.

Before state and international delegates, he pushed for cooperative sea policies based on local practices and participation.

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

Current Development

Today, when navigators from throughout the region – from Fiji, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they study canoes collectively, modify the design and finally navigate in unison.

“It’s not about duplicating the ancient designs, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

According to Tikoure, teaching navigation and advocating environmental policy are connected.

“It’s all about how we involve people: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and what authority governs what occurs on it? Heritage boats function as a means to begin that dialogue.”