Well I only need 4 nights, we are staying 5 nights on Maui (with the starwood
Maui offer) and then flying to Honolulu for 4 nights and the air is already
booked so 4 nights it is.

But what I really want is a nice room with a water view, so booking the
whole stay in honolulu on points would only get me a standard room with
maybe a possibility of an upgrade if I call 5 nights before I check in.
(If I understand the rules right)

What I was hopping was that other people might have tried paying for the
room grade they wanted (delux water view) for several nights and then
using points for the next few nights and how I might manage to stay in the same room and not have to change rooms. I would be will to pay the difference with more cash or points for those two award nights.