Yeah, I've had difficulty getting HA awards. At least the WPAA award lister (for NW) had a pretty accurate picture on availability. Often it'll be down to just the 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. flights.

Did have better luck on AQ through UA. I even booked separate single day trips to Lanai and Molokai on AQ's Island Air with UA miles. Made more money sense to daytrip from HNL (with $35 Priceline hotel in Waikiki) on first flight in, last flight on a budget as tight as mine. I guess you get weird things like that when you have miles but not too much cash.