Reviving the Lost Art of Traditional Boat Construction in the Pacific Territory

During the autumn month of October on the island of Lifou, a ancient-style canoe was launched into the coastal lagoon – a simple gesture that represented a highly meaningful moment.

It was the maiden journey of a traditional canoe on Lifou in generations, an gathering that united the island’s three chiefly clans in a uncommon display of togetherness.

Activist and sailor Aile Tikoure was behind the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has overseen a program that aims to revive ancestral vessel construction in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been crafted in an initiative designed to reconnect native Kanak communities with their oceanic traditions. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “opening of discussions” around sea access rights and environmental policies.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he journeyed to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for maritime regulations developed alongside and by native populations that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always traveled by water. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure says. “Today we’re reclaiming it again.”

Traditional vessels hold deep cultural importance in New Caledonia. They once stood for travel, exchange and clan alliances across islands, but those practices faded under colonisation and religious conversion efforts.

Heritage Restoration

His journey commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia cultural authorities was exploring how to bring back traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the authorities and two years later the canoe construction project – known as Project Kenu Waan – was established.

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

Project Achievements

The program worked to bring back ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

Up to now, the team has created a display, published a book and enabled the creation or repair of around 30 canoes – from Goro to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

In contrast to many other island territories where tree loss has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often use synthetic materials. Here, we can still carve solid logs,” he explains. “It makes a significant advantage.”

The boats constructed under the Kenu Waan Project combine traditional boat forms with regional navigation methods.

Educational Expansion

Since 2024, Tikoure has also been educating students in maritime travel and traditional construction history at the educational institution.

“This marks the initial occasion these subjects are offered at master’s level. It goes beyond textbooks – it’s something I’ve experienced. I’ve crossed oceans on these vessels. I’ve cried tears of joy doing it.”

Island Cooperation

He traveled with the team of the Fijian vessel, 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 explains. “We’re restoring the sea together.”

Governance Efforts

This past July, Tikoure visited the European location to introduce a “Kanak vision of the sea” when he conferred with Macron and other leaders.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he argued for shared maritime governance based on Kanak custom and community involvement.

“It’s essential to include them – particularly people dependent on marine resources.”

Contemporary Evolution

Now, when navigators from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and New Zealand – arrive in Lifou, they analyze boats together, refine the construction and finally sail side by side.

“It’s not about duplicating the traditional forms, we enable their progression.”

Integrated Mission

For Tikoure, educating sailors and advocating environmental policy are linked.

“The core concept concerns how we involve people: what permissions exist to travel ocean waters, and who determines what happens there? The canoe function as a means to start that conversation.”