In its relentless march up-market with increasingly posh stores aimed at visitors, Ala Moana Center seemed to be losing its local touch. So the plan to add OFF 5th, the Saks Fifth Avenue discount offshoot, should be greeted as welcome news.

When it opens next spring, OFF 5th will occupy only about one-fifth of the space just vacated by Nordstrom, after its move to a spot in the center’s new Ewa wing. This would be Hawaii’s second in the outlet-store chain, and townies will no longer have to drive to Waikele.

UH wins our hearts, whatever the scores

The end of the road for UH basketball at the NCAA tourney — the Wahines’ loss to UCLA and the Warriors’ loss to Maryland — had to hurt just a bit. Everyone hoped for another March Madness upset. But the Rainbows certainly brought some color to the Big Dance.

The men’s team got to Game 2 of the basketball championship, by itself a huge accomplishment after such a tough year for the program.

And in the first half, the team really gave the Terrapins some terror, the fans shouting “Let’s go, ‘Bows” and waving ti leaves. (Never mind that The Washington Post called them banana.)

The final scores notwithstanding, they were standout efforts, and gave local fans plenty to cheer about.