Jenelle you haven't mentioned the exact dates of travel so I am only doing a rough calculation. Are you dead set on going with Qantas/Oneworld all the way?
Use a little creative thinking and refine as you see fit.
If you book MEL-LAX for $2993 and use points for LAX-IAD-BOS-LAS-LAX which is 59,000 QFF points + ~A$12. So all up around $3000.
- Why not find a cheap way to get to HNL? For example MEL-HNL with JQ travelling Jan 4 2008 and returning 11 Feb 2008 costs $1220 return.
- Then HNL-ATL-(IAD)-JFK-(BOS)-(LAS)-SLC-HNL with DL prices to US$1080, ~A$1300. Total cost for JQ and DL option $2520 and you have saved 59,000 FF points and $480.
- Or HNL-SFO-(IAD)-(BOS)-ORD-(LAS)-SFO-HNL with UA prices to US$1141, ~A$1370. Total cost for JQ and UA option $2590 and you have saved 59,000 points and $410.
- Or HNL-(IAD)-(BOS)-(LAS)-HNL using QFF points which is 84,000 FF points + $20. Total for JQ and QFF points option is $1240 + QFF points.
There are many other variations which could prove beneficial to you. Due to peak season I do not see a point in paying $3000 to travel with QF just to earn 90 SCs and 15,846 FF points, assuming you do not have QF status. I notice that you are a member of DL and UA so taking the JQ option with DL and UA would also add some FF points to the DL and UA FF programs.
Good luck and hope you find this information helpful.