HNL LAX was a buggers muddle. It was a US domestic sector, so was not allowed to uplift pax unless they had an onwards journey on Air NZ or it was part of a continued journey. I.e. they had to be onwards to LHR or down to the pacific. HNL YVR also had similar restrictions.
Air NZ was on a hiding to nothing on those routes.
The land of the free did not want the competition in their backyard.