The formula is simple. The more dancers the halau brings, more $$$ for Hilo economy. Even better if the halau is a big halau that can do concerts and travel to.... ~Japan~. That means winners get exposures! Yall forget that MM was made to bring back Japanese tourists. And Japan LOVES hula!
and a big disapointing decision not to at least recongize the Academy of Hawaiian Arts, they were incredible with all that technical achievment... this 'festival' sounds like the Oscars, only what's convenient for ... whoever benefits from it
