Thank you all for your input! I did look at the revised routing (NRT-TPE-HKG-SIN-DPS-SYD instead of NRT-HKG-SIN-SYD), but couldn't make the connections work.
The D fare BNE-HNL-BNE is $5,999, and my agent seems to be able to sell the 22,000 mile CIRPAC in D for just a touch more (published $6,499)
The real difference is 240 tier credits v well over 600, for an extra day or so in a metal tube.