Thanks for the advice. It looks like I can fly AA from CDG - LAX and then LAX - OGG so that sounds amazing! I think that way, I can save the CSP/Ink sign up deals, as I should have enough miles with just UR/miles to get one way from LAX - CDG. And the Citi cards are potentially churnable.
One question: I couldn't seem to find any Air Tahihi Nui flights? The only ones that I could find on the AA website were BA flights from CDG-LHR-LAX? How did you check availability for ATN flights?