So others might know if this article is accurate, but http://www.theflightdeal.com/2011/09...eat-to-hawaii/ seems to suggest that if you want the SFO connection, UA/CO is the way to go. I believe you can do a stopover on domestic flights? So a business class award on United would be 80k roundtrip, and you could do a direct flight to SFO, stopover, then a direct flight to HNL. Looking briefly at the united website they don't have biz award availability on the 764 flight, but maybe that would open up closer to the date. OR, you could do a coach routing for 40k roundtrip.

(I'm looking at United because I'm most familiar with them...maybe someone else can chime in on other airlines?)

Let's say you're looking at the biz class option, so 80k miles for each of you. The Chase Sapphire Preferred (for now) gives you 50k. You could then do the United MP Explorer card for 50k (if it's still good), or the Chase Freedom card for 30k if that offer returns, or the Ink Bold for 50k if you have a business and can meet the minimum spend. If you do coach class, one sapphire card per person gets you there.