School's out, and in the farthest reaches of Ko'olauloa, that means it's time to start La'ie Days.

The annual summer celebration kicks off this week and ends in mid-July with more than 20 community-sponsored events geared toward building community pride, unity and awareness.

"Other places, they celebrate for a day, or a week. In La'ie, we celebrate for the whole month," said Kela Miller, a fifth-generation La'ie resident.

The month's activities range from sports tournaments — tennis, rugby, volleyball, basketball and golf — to historical tours and a kupuna luncheon honoring the elderly members of the community.

"We try to find activities that fit all ages, that are family-oriented," said Tipa Galea'i, a La'ie Community Association Board Member in charge of the summer celebration. The goal is to find something for everyone to enjoy, she said.

This year, the committee is organizing a football video game tournament along with proven favorites such as Keiki Beach Day, Midnight 'Ohana and a closing-day parade.

"For a lot of (activities), we're looking at zero budget," said Galea'i. Each year, the association asks local businesses to help fund the events, which are run entirely by volunteers.

"There are a lot of people who really make it possible," said Galea'i. "(Longtime La'ie resident) Junior Ah You and his family have spearheaded a lot of the activities, and they deserve a lot of the credit. He made it possible for us to come this far."

The tradition began during World War II, when wartime restrictions on travel prevented La'ie residents' participation in Kamehameha Day festivities in Honolulu.

"To lift their spirits and bring the community together during the hardships of the war, our La'ie Day was born," said La'ie Community Association President Pane Meatoga Jr.

The celebration was expanded from a single day to an entire month in 1988 by Ah You and then-LCA President Lucky Fonoimoana.

"I don't know any community that celebrates like La'ie," laughs Miller, adding that "(La'ie Days) started with our kupuna, so that we don't forget. La'ie is changing, and so all of us have a commitment — we have to let our children know so that they don't forget their roots, and they have very deep roots here in La'ie."

So every summer, organizers of La'ie Days make sure there are plenty of opportunities for local youth to get involved.

"I think that getting our kids involved and understanding the value of family ties helps them," Galea'i said. "It helps them to become better students in the classroom, better citizens in the community, and then when they go out to college they'll know how to carry themselves and represent who they are and where they come from."

Thanks to its founders, La'ie Days has become a yearly tradition; some families even plan reunions to coincide with the events.

"Now, 19 years later, we continue to celebrate," Meatoga said. "La'ie Days provides wholesome activities for our children, teens and adults, while stressing the importance of family and encouraging education, culture and sportsmanship."

For Galea'i, it all comes down to family.

"I just love doing things for our community," she said. "Just to see the enjoyment in the kids, how they come together in love to be with everybody, that's satisfying for me."

Reach Caryn Kunz at ckunz1@honoluluadvertiser.com.