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In October on the island of Lifou, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was set afloat in the coastal lagoon – a seemingly minor event that represented a profoundly important moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in living memory, an event that assembled the island’s main family lineages in a rare show of unity.

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the past eight years, he has led a project that seeks to restore ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Dozens of canoes have been built in an project aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure states the boats also help the “opening of discussions” around ocean rights and conservation measures.

Diplomatic Efforts

During the summer month of July, he journeyed to France and conferred with President Emmanuel Macron, pushing for marine policies shaped with and by local tribes that recognise their relationship with the sea.

“Forefathers always crossed the sea. We lost that for a while,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Heritage boats hold significant historical importance in New Caledonia. They once represented mobility, trade and family cooperations across islands, but those traditions declined under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

His journey started in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was considering how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure partnered with the government and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as Project Kenu Waan – was established.

“The biggest challenge was not wood collection, it was gaining local support,” he says.

Program Successes

The initiative worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and island partnerships.

So far, the group has created a display, released a publication and supported the construction or restoration of nearly three dozen boats – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Material Advantages

Unlike many other Pacific islands where deforestation has limited timber supplies, New Caledonia still has proper lumber for carving large hulls.

“There, they often use modern composites. Locally, we can still work with whole trees,” he states. “This creates a significant advantage.”

The canoes created under the initiative integrate traditional boat forms with Melanesian rigging.

Teaching Development

Starting recently, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and heritage building techniques at the local university.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are offered at graduate studies. This isn’t academic – this is knowledge I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness during these journeys.”

Pacific Partnerships

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Uto ni Yalo, the Fijian canoe that traveled to Tonga for the Pacific Islands Forum in 2024.

“Throughout the region, through various islands, it’s the same movement,” he states. “We’re reclaiming the sea collectively.”

Political Engagement

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

Before state and international delegates, he advocated for collaborative ocean management based on local practices and community involvement.

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

Contemporary Evolution

Now, when navigators from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, refine the construction and finally voyage together.

“We’re not simply replicating the traditional forms, we help them develop.”

Integrated Mission

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

“The fundamental issue involves how we involve people: who has the right to move across the sea, and who decides what happens on it? Traditional vessels is a way to initiate that discussion.”