I'll be returning from KOA via HNL on the 11th. Planned this vacation very early last year. Did my parents on miles and myself on an economy ticket + SWU. I can tell you the Hawaiian airlines connection in HNL is no problem. It will be a pain that they do not check your luggage all the way through on the return, so if that is a concern, take AA metal all the way. Otherwise, I would take the 763 to HNL without hesitation.