For the last 19 years the World Invitational Hula Festival has taken center stage at the Waikiki Shell.

Local halau, along with dancers from countries including Japan, Canada and Guam participate.

The festivals President Paulie Jennings said a month ago, she learned the event could not use the shell's parking lot during Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the same week the event is scheduled.

?It would have been a lot easier if we would have been informed several months ago, seeing that they have been working on this project for 22 months,? said Jennings.

The competition is downsizing to an indoor venue at the Neil Blaisdell concert hall to assure parking.

Organizers said the move cost more than $10,000 in re-printing and logistical costs and the event is also stuck finding transportation for dancers staying in a Waikiki hotel.

?We are supposed to have $5,000 for a videographer. We are supposed to come up with $5,000 tomorrow for a program book otherwise we don?t have a program book,? said competition Director John Hays.

Hays said postponing the festival would result in more financial losses.

The group says the city stepped in to help, offering the concert hall at a discounted rate.

The city is also donating the Royal Hawaiian Band, which will perform on the festival?s opening day, along with free parking for the judges.