Originally Posted by bse118

JAL baggage check-in closes 60 minutes before international flights. So you don't have 3.5 hours - you have 2.5.

I'm pretty sure that to even get to the JAL Transfer Desk at HND you have to clear through the transfer security checkpoint (e.g. the transfer desks are after the checkpoint). I personally wouldn't count on that, and then getting back into the immigration flow / area if you need to, to be "a little time"

In the extremely likely event that you don't get this sorted at TPA or ORD, I'd be headed right to immigration and baggage claim.

Or better yet - packing only carry-on.