General Growth Properties' bankruptcy filing late Wednesday was hardly a surprise. The company, which owns Ala Moana Center and Ward Villages, among others, has been leaking red ink for quite a while.

But for many who grew up with Ala Moana and has seen its evolution over the years, it's still a blow. We've seen Liberty House morph into Macy's, JCPenney's come and go, and local mom 'n' pops like Iida's downsized from their glory days.

It must be tough trying to balance the right mix of local faves with high-end visitor demands. Let's hope Ala Moana Center, at least, comes out of this retrenching better than ever.