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TheBuzz

BY ERIKA ENGLE

Sunday, June 3, 2001

Invasion from the
land of Vuitton

Last week saw international media attention for Louis Vuitton, due to news reports that the company's high-end stores were limiting purchases of its most popular items.

Lesser known was the fact that about 120 Louis Vuitton executives from abroad received VIP attention from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The company has had a shop there since 1997.

For the very first time, Hawaii hosted the company's Pacific region managers.

Gary Hahn, vice president and chief operating officer for Louis Vuitton Hawaii, hosted some 90 managers from Japan, and about 30 company executives from headquarters in Paris.

The international travelers and about 35 local execs first visited the company's newest Hawaii store at the Shops at Wailea. "It's an outstanding resort shopping center," Hahn said.

The group returned to Honolulu for a welcoming party Monday night followed by three days of meetings.

Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris was invited to speak at the last-day luncheon Thursday. Hahn said Harris spoke about improvements made in Waikiki by both the government and private sectors.

"I felt that Mayor Harris would be the best speaker we could have since he's close to the scene in Waikiki and frequently makes trips to Japan to promote tourism," Hahn said.

Hizzoner was very well-received by the Japanese as well as the French contingent, he said.

The group also took in Oahu's dining and entertainment scene including a Wednesday night cruise and the Magic of Polynesia show.

"We had a fireworks show at 9 p.m. that was just spectacular," Hahn said, "and dancing at the Tropics afterward."

Realtors' open house

The big real estate deal of the week may occur at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club House.

Honolulu Board of Realtors members are invited to a special board of directors meeting for discussion of recently increased Multiple Listing Service fees.

An e-mail sent to members indicates the board may reconsider the fee schedule.

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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com