Originally Posted by
MDTyKe
True. In this case, say the inbound HA HNL-NRT flight is delayed... so it'd be very likely that I'd miss my 6pm flight out of NRT. Would I possibly even be refused boarding in HNL, or would they (JL) even so much as attempt to auto-rebook me (e.g. on one of the later departures out of NRT say, to BKK)... My understanding is that kind of thing usually happens *after* departure - in normal circumstances at least.
These are not entirely normal circumstances. If you have 2-4 hours delay out of HNL, they would likely keep you there, as the delay is probably impossible to recover. And rebook you for the next day.
Otherwise, they will try to deal with it in Tokyo. If you are OK to go to Bangkok or another destination, check what options are OK with you, and be prepared when you talk to JAL in Narita. They are as interested as you are in getting you on a connection flight from Narita.