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

It was the maiden journey of a ancestral vessel on Lifou in many decades, an event that assembled the island’s three chiefly clans in a exceptional demonstration of solidarity.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the past eight years, he has overseen a program that works to resurrect ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been built in an initiative aimed at reconnecting local Kanak populations with their maritime heritage. Tikoure says the boats also help the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and ecological regulations.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he travelled to France and had discussions with President Emmanuel Macron, calling for ocean governance shaped with and by native populations that recognise their maritime heritage.

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

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once stood for travel, interaction and tribal partnerships across islands, but those practices declined under colonial rule and religious conversion efforts.

Cultural Reclamation

His journey began in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was looking at how to reintroduce heritage vessel construction methods. Tikoure worked with the government and after two years the vessel restoration program – known as Project Kenu Waan – was born.

“The hardest part wasn’t cutting down trees, it was persuading communities,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The Kenu Waan project worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use vessel construction to strengthen traditional heritage and inter-island cooperation.

Up to now, the group has produced an exhibition, published a book and supported the creation or repair of nearly three dozen boats – from Goro to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other island territories where deforestation has reduced 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 a significant advantage.”

The vessels constructed under the Kenu Waan Project integrate Polynesian hull design with regional navigation methods.

Academic Integration

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and ancestral craft methods at the University of New Caledonia.

“It’s the first time these topics are included at master’s level. It’s not theory – it’s something I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve sailed vast distances on traditional boats. I’ve felt overwhelming happiness while accomplishing this.”

Island Cooperation

Tikoure sailed with the members of the Fijian vessel, the Fijian canoe that journeyed to Tonga for the oceanic conference in 2024.

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, it’s the same movement,” he explains. “We’re restoring the ocean collectively.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure visited Nice, France to introduce a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he had discussions with Macron and other leaders.

Before state and foreign officials, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on Indigenous traditions and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include them – especially those who live from fishing.”

Modern Adaptation

Now, when navigators from across the Pacific – from Fiji, the Micronesian region and New Zealand – come to Lifou, they analyze boats collectively, refine the construction and finally voyage together.

“We don’t just copy the traditional forms, we enable their progression.”

Holistic Approach

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

“It’s all about community participation: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who determines what occurs in these waters? The canoe function as a means to begin that dialogue.”