Some configs of GE can operate below 7,,,,, not all configs
A GE is a GE is a GE. All can ops with 6 CC with 216 pax + 10 infants. The International config, which is actually 25J 204Y (or 202 Y with tech crew rest activated), can operate with 6 CC and capped pax numbers.
There may be other reasons that the aircraft would not depart HNL without a full CC compliment (long range sector or union reasons?), but it has nothing to do with the particular config of the GE. The config has no bearing on CC emergency procedures, barring very minor equipment location differences.
I noticed that you just now said 767
to HNL (DEFCON was sating from HNL). Please note that reduced crew can only be from non-crew ports (as per our CCOM and it may even be a CASA requirement?). So are we getting our wires crossed there? In relation to your Cost/Risk analysis comment, we have been sending out 734s at min crew for years. I guess the fact it works
most of the time is good enough for the bean counters. That's all that seems to matter.