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In October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was pushed into the coastal lagoon – a small act that marked a highly meaningful 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 uncommon display of togetherness.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a initiative that seeks to restore heritage canoe building in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been constructed in an initiative designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also facilitate the “start of conversation” around maritime entitlements and environmental policies.

International Advocacy

During the summer month of July, he visited France and met President Emmanuel Macron, calling for marine policies developed alongside and by native populations that honor their relationship with the sea.

“Previous generations always crossed the sea. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure states. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those customs declined under colonial rule and outside cultural pressures.

Cultural Reclamation

The initiative commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia heritage ministry was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure collaborated with the administration and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as the Kenu Waan initiative – was born.

“The hardest part wasn’t harvesting timber, it was persuading communities,” he says.

Project Achievements

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back heritage voyaging practices, mentor apprentice constructors and use vessel construction to enhance cultural identity and regional collaboration.

To date, the team has produced an exhibition, published a book and facilitated the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from the southern region to the northern shoreline.

Material Advantages

Different from many other oceanic nations where tree loss has reduced wood resources, New Caledonia still has appropriate timber for crafting substantial vessels.

“There, they often employ synthetic materials. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he states. “It makes all the difference.”

The canoes built under the Kenu Waan Project merge Polynesian hull design with Melanesian rigging.

Educational Expansion

Starting recently, 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 included at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve experienced. I’ve navigated major waters on these vessels. I’ve experienced profound emotion during these journeys.”

Regional Collaboration

He voyaged with the crew of the traditional boat, the Fijian canoe that sailed to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Across the Pacific, from Fiji to here, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re restoring the ocean together.”

Policy Advocacy

This past July, Tikoure journeyed to the European location to introduce a “Traditional understanding of the ocean” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he argued for shared maritime governance based on local practices and local engagement.

“We must engage them – most importantly those who live from fishing.”

Modern Adaptation

Today, when sailors from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – visit Lifou, they analyze boats in cooperation, refine the construction and ultimately voyage together.

“We don’t just copy the old models, we make them evolve.”

Comprehensive Vision

In his view, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“It’s all about public engagement: who has the right to travel ocean waters, and who determines which activities take place in these waters? Heritage boats function as a means to begin that dialogue.”