Airport Delays

[Obie]

"Also keep in mind that these United flights turn right back around and go back to where they came from. "

Not if they divert to a different airport.

I was an AMT for 41 years and was ETOPS qualified but not on the 777. A predeparture check has to be accomplished by qualified AMT. There wouldn't be anybody at ITO qualified on a United 777. Even engine oil would be a problem. Engine oil is pretty specific to certain engines and operators so the engine oil couldn't be serviced.

"turn around and go back to California even if the plane is up to 2/3’s of the way to Hawaii."

It's 1/2 way where it would turn around, depending on the reason the airplane would probably run out of fuel if it turned around at 2/3rd.
If an ETOPS plane has an engine failure it is mandatory that it land at the closest airport. That's Hilo and every time that happens the airplane is here for at least a week until the proper equipment and personnel are flown in. keep in mind that these United flights turn right back around and go back to where they came from.

I could go on all day with dozens of reasons why it was better to go to HNL or OGG.