I used Qantas to help--it is worth the points/$$.The big advantage of going back to LA is that you can get a connecting QF flight direct to Melbourne.You can use as many transits as required
HNL-SYD is difficult on points--very little availability.Best to fly back to LA withhAA & then connecting QF flight to Melbourne--did this last year on a round world withg points & it worked well.
