I would second that motion to purchase the confirmed tickets out of LAX. It is so hard to non-rev these days and Hawaii seems impossible especially during the summer. I have been extremely fortunate in that I have always made my flight from the East Coast to Hawaii but I go in September which is considered "off or slow season" and even then, the flights have been packed.

This September I am taking my neice for her birthday but I purchased confirmed tickets since I knew that it would be harder to non-rev with a "companion".

Have fun and enjoy your trip..... it takes the fun out of the trip when you have to constantly worry about the flight loads.