Thanks everyone - I really appreciate all the ideas. I do have a place to stay in Portland and was thinking of breaking things up on the way there due to the time zone thing. Ideally, a long overnight layover but don't see any. Everything seems to be going through SEA (big surprise, I know). Heading back west to Maui I could see doing it with a short layover since I'd be gaining hours rather than losing them... and I'd be home at the end rather than arriving at the conference.

Edit - Just looking at some flights leaving from HNL instead of OGG and there are some good options. HNL>SFO 11AM-7PM, then next day SFO>EWR 11AM-7PM all for $408 on AS metal. Two days of travel but no redeye and a decent arrival time for the drive down to Atlantic City? Also, a good non-rushed layover at SFO. Starting the trip over to HNL from OGG is just a $39 WN or HA fare.