To the OP: IMO, HA is probably suggesting that you allow more time for your connecting flight, not as a matter of policy but because of actual airline operations at HNL, which can be unpredictable at times, depending on late or early aircraft arrival. Because HA is now the largest carrier serving HNL, gate positions at HNL can be shuffled suddenly, changing what was originally scheduled as two connecting flights at the same terminal to two flights suddenly assigned to opposite ends of HNL. So, for example, one flight might arrive at Gate 25, while your connecting flight is at Gate 53, which may require you to take a long scenic walk between gates or take the Wiki Wiki shuttle bus. You won't know about sudden gate changes until you arrive at the terminal. When at HNL, look at the departure board for your connecting flight and always be on the watch for the automated announcement saying: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Hawaiian Airlines announces a gate change..." All of this will tell you that you may need more connecting time as HA suggests.