In 1995, less than 5% of Australia-Europe passengers routed via a Middle Eastern transit point. Now it's around 35%.
Go back another 20 years; the percentage of Australia-Europe passengers that routed via a Middle Eastern transit point was again much higher. All Kangaroo Route airlines made multiple stops in Europe, Middle East and Asia on the way.
Qantas 1973 international route network
I can't see HNL ever becoming the type of global hub that has allowed the likes of EK, QR and ET to become the behemoths that they are today. For one thing, HNL doesn't enjoy any of the geographical advantages that the Gulf does.