What has become a summer tradition in the islands, the 4th annual Out of System and 7Gen Culture Hawai‘i Luau Grass Volleyball Tournament set another attendance record this past weekend on O‘ahu’s Windward side.
Held Sunday at Kailua District Park, the tournament served as the culmination of several days of volleyball-centered community events, including a free keiki clinic. The 2025 edition of the outdoor grassroots event featured more than 150 teams from across Hawai‘i, the continental U.S., including Delaware, and international destinations like Europe.
Participants ranged from youth athletes to current collegiate and professional volleyball players, making the event a showcase of all skill levels and backgrounds. Among the tournament organizers were former University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball standouts Joe and Gage Worsley, who continue to grow their “Out of System” brand with a mission to give back to the community that once supported their careers.
“For us, this event kind of represents everything,” said Joe Worsley. “The love we appreciated during our time at UH, the people we connected with, this gives us a way to stay connected and provide something meaningful. We broke the state record last year and added another 40–50 teams this year. It just keeps growing, and we love coming back to give this to the community.”
The tournament has garnered support from prominent members of Hawai‘i’s volleyball scene, including current University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball head coach Charlie Wade, who praised the event’s impact.
“It’s a great volleyball event and great for Kailua to have all these people come over and see how beautiful it is on the Windward side,” Wade said. “Two of my sons competed this year, and we’ve got former players running the show. Volleyball is a big deal in Hawai‘i, it holds a special place in people’s hearts. They love to play, watch, support. We’re really fortunate.”
Also in attendance was former UH beach volleyball standout and current AVP Tour pro Carly Kan, who echoed the sentiment.
“People in Hawai‘i love volleyball, and it shows,” said Kan. “It’s such a great community, and this event brings everyone together. You see kids, adults, families, it’s just fun to celebrate volleyball and have a good time.”
With the tournament setting a new state record for team participation, organizers are already looking ahead to 2026 with hopes of even greater turnout.
For more information about future Out of System and 7Gen Culture events, visit the official Hawai‘i Luau website.