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In October on Lifou, a double-hulled canoe was pushed into the turquoise waters – a seemingly minor event that marked a profoundly important moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an occasion that assembled 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 past eight years, he has overseen a initiative that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Many heritage vessels have been crafted in an project designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure says the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around sea access rights and ecological regulations.

Diplomatic Efforts

In July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance developed alongside and by local tribes that acknowledge their connection to the ocean.

“Previous generations always navigated the ocean. We lost that for a time,” Tikoure states. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

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

Heritage Restoration

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to restore ancestral boat-making techniques. Tikoure worked with the government and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was born.

“The hardest part didn’t involve wood collection, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The initiative aimed to restore traditional navigation techniques, educate new craftspeople and use canoe-making to reinforce traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

To date, the team has created a display, released a publication and facilitated the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Resource Benefits

Different from many other island territories where deforestation has reduced lumber availability, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for carving large hulls.

“Elsewhere, they often employ synthetic materials. Here, we can still work with whole trees,” he explains. “This creates a crucial distinction.”

The vessels built under the initiative integrate traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been instructing maritime travel and heritage building techniques at the University of New Caledonia.

“For the first time ever these topics are offered at master’s level. It’s not theory – this is knowledge I’ve experienced. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness doing it.”

Regional Collaboration

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, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage collectively.”

Governance Efforts

In July, Tikoure travelled to Nice, France to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the marine environment” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and foreign officials, he advocated for shared maritime governance based on Kanak custom and community involvement.

“We must engage them – particularly fishing communities.”

Current Development

Today, when sailors from various island nations – from the Fijian islands, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – arrive in Lifou, they study canoes in cooperation, modify the design and ultimately navigate in unison.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

For Tikoure, educating sailors and supporting ecological regulations are connected.

“It’s all about public engagement: who is entitled to travel ocean waters, and who determines what occurs there? Traditional vessels serve as a method to initiate that discussion.”