Yes, I agree, he should be good to go with a :48 connection time at HNL.

My only bit of advice is not to take the bus. If you do, then you have to re-clear security at the interisland terminal.

Instead, get off the DL flight and turn left and walk. Ignore all signs for the WikiWiki shuttle bus and keep walking. The concourse will wind left and right, looking like you're going to hit a dead end, but keep going until you can't go any farther. You're at the interisland terminal and don't have to re-clear security, as you've stayed in the sterile area. I think that way's quicker, and the walk is welcome after the long flight to HNL.