Reviving the Forgotten Tradition of Traditional Boat Construction in the Pacific Territory

This past October on Lifou island, a traditional twin-hulled vessel was launched into the turquoise waters – a seemingly minor event that represented a highly meaningful moment.

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

Mariner and advocate Aile Tikoure was instrumental in the launch. For the previous eight-year period, he has spearheaded a project that aims to revive traditional boat making in New Caledonia.

Numerous traditional boats have been constructed in an effort intended to reunite native Kanak communities with their maritime heritage. Tikoure explains the boats also promote the “beginning of dialogue” around ocean rights and environmental policies.

Diplomatic Efforts

This past July, he travelled to France and met President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for ocean governance created in consultation with and by native populations that recognise their connection to the ocean.

“Our ancestors always crossed the sea. We lost that for a period,” Tikoure says. “Now we’re finding it again.”

Heritage boats hold deep cultural significance in New Caledonia. They once stood for movement, interaction and clan alliances across islands, but those customs diminished under colonisation and missionary influences.

Cultural Reclamation

This mission commenced in 2016, when the New Caledonia government’s culture department was considering how to reintroduce traditional canoe-building skills. Tikoure collaborated with the government and following a two-year period the vessel restoration program – known as Kenu Waan project – was established.

“The biggest challenge didn’t involve cutting down trees, it was convincing people,” he notes.

Initiative Accomplishments

The initiative aimed to restore ancestral sailing methods, educate new craftspeople and use boat-building to strengthen traditional heritage and regional collaboration.

To date, the team has created a display, issued a volume and supported the construction or restoration of approximately thirty vessels – from the far south to Ponerihouen.

Natural Resources

Different from many other oceanic nations where forest clearing has diminished timber supplies, New Caledonia still has suitable wood for constructing major boats.

“In other places, they often employ modern composites. Locally, we can still craft from natural timber,” he says. “That represents a crucial distinction.”

The vessels constructed under the initiative merge oceanic vessel shapes with Melanesian rigging.

Teaching Development

Beginning this year, Tikoure has also been educating students in navigation and traditional construction history at the local university.

“It’s the first time this knowledge are offered at graduate studies. It goes beyond textbooks – these are experiences I’ve personally undertaken. I’ve navigated major waters on these canoes. I’ve cried tears of joy while accomplishing this.”

Regional Collaboration

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

“From Hawaii to Rapa Nui, including our location, this represents a unified effort,” he explains. “We’re restoring the maritime heritage together.”

Political Engagement

During the summer, Tikoure travelled to the French city to share a “Kanak vision of the ocean” when he met with Macron and additional officials.

Addressing official and overseas representatives, he pushed for shared maritime governance based on Kanak custom and local engagement.

“You have to involve them – most importantly fishing communities.”

Current Development

Today, when navigators from throughout the region – from the Fijian islands, Micronesia and Aotearoa – come to Lifou, they examine vessels in cooperation, modify the design and finally sail side by side.

“We don’t just copy the ancient designs, we help them develop.”

Integrated Mission

In his view, teaching navigation and supporting ecological regulations are connected.

“The core concept concerns public engagement: what permissions exist to move across the sea, and who determines which activities take place on it? Traditional vessels is a way to initiate that discussion.”