I'll be a recent "I should have taken the earlier flight" guy.

I was going from PDX to LAX to catch a flight going to Brisbane. My flight was initially delayed, and then flat out canceled. At the point of cancellation, the only flights left were via a connection on all departing airlines. DL took care of me and put me on a plane the following afternoon zig zagging across Australia.. But by the time I finally left PDX, the other 3 people I was supposed to be traveling with had arrived in BNE.

Even when it looks like you have enough time, you realistically may not. On an international departure to the South Pacific, always make sure you have enough time.