Personally I would think that Ame would have a little bit more to rights for an actual village in the game rather than Uzu. I've been playing for a little under three years. I've been off and on due to rl complications and job, however I've seen Ame as a clan for that entire time, and a friend of two more years than I remembers it being there. Although Uzu would be a decent decision, the main reason why it's so much more active and has members is because it's the new thing. I remember being on with one of my many accounts when it was Kusa, then Kiri, Suna, Iwa, Ame, Sakura, Hana and Uzu. Really it's just what the newest village is... and mostly it is super-hype and the 'in thing' for about a month to maybe six... but then it dies out.
Honestly in terms of a village that needs the actual game posting, I'd say Ame would deserve it more, mainly because they've been on the list more, have a *lot* of potential issues (such as honestly it being difficult to rp there due to having the one room) when trying to rp grind. Not to mention in the case of zones being used, I honestly am very weary of people using the zones for village based stuff (clan or not) when I want to train people or spar them... and the zone is being used for other things. Besides... not much was really stated about how Uzu looked (at least from what little I've seen), yet Ame was featured quite a bit.
However, I do agree that Hoshi is kind of out of place, but that's because the rl grind time to even get 25 oro kills requires about a month or so doing turns and not stagnating because of forest events or sensai kicking your butt every time. If I had to say to get rid of a village, hidden Oto is nice (but I've never seen the results of how to get that for my toons) but between that and Hoshi... I'd say Hoshi is more expendable.
In Short. Ame for Hoshi, if really wanted Uzu for Hidden Oto. But really would prefer Ame far more than Uzu.
Owner of the Fire using Copying Hyuuga Pacifist, Explosives Specialist Rain Shinobi, and Simple Swordswoman.