I called Hawaiian airlines and they said only 24 hours stopover is free.
This is pricing i received whihc backs that up:
PPT - HNL - $1550
PPT - SJC - $1850
PPT - HNL - SJC $2300
If a free stopover was allowed the price should be in the $1800 - $2000 range.
Does anybody have any verbage confirming the free longer than 24 hr stopover?
HA only flies from PPT once a week and there is likely lots of holiday travel that month. Supply and demand and individual market forces drive fares, so that is likely why you're seeing what you believe are high fares. This is likely also why you can't find award travel on this route.
As for stopovers, I believe that stopovers are free. I was playing around on their website and did a "multi city" search for fares from PPT to SFO with a stop in HNL for a few days and there was no extra charge. I priced a domestic itinerary as well and there was no extra free for stopover.
Looks like fares one way in premium cabins from PPT-HNL are $1764 per person and $2500 PPT-HNL-SFO. This is for flying from PPT on December 16th. Flying earlier in the month, will get you cheaper fares.
Flexibility will be key, if you want to find cheaper fares. Other than watching the fares like a hawk, your hands are likely tied.