I have several opinions on this matter, some which may appear conflicting.
First and foremost, I understand the logic and desire of the OP to get out of there early and avoid a few days in a hotel room.
But.....
Weather is weather, but it seems that many people expect an airline to "pay for" these eventualities. That is what travel insurance is for. I know it would be much easier to be able to simply phone the airline and get them to change things to suit, but why should they bear the brunt of weather??
So some american airlines offered free changes (which would be hard not to with the hype the USA has put on this heavy rainstorm) - I am very interested what the other 50 airlines (non-USA) who fly to HNL are offering?
To be stuck in a hotel room, if that ended up being the case, during a rare storm event in another land, to me is just part of the enjoyable uncertainties of Life. As the OP said, just grab a few extra beers
It was unfair to name the actual QF rep. They have bosses. He may have been a prat, but I would want to be sure about that before naming him on a public travel forum. Your days of unhappiness at QF may be forgotten very soon, but if a boss finds such public slagging of QF due to his interaction with you, maybe it will harm him for a long time? (as usual, things are grey - he may be deserving of this, or completely undeserving)
Last two thoughts - for the OP: if a one-off event like this makes you want to jump ship from QF, then do it! And then find the grass is not necessarily greener. Or enjoy those beers and be safe!
In any case, hope you make it out ok, and even more so, enjoy the unusual event