on your way to China, if you have enough vacation time.
Hotels have incentives to get you there and that is why package air with hotels might shave off some $$$.
I personally don't think it makes much for Eastcoasters to make a trip just for Hawaii, in terms of value. If beach and sun is what you are after, similar vacation can be had in the Caribeans. Didn't look through the price but my guess is it would be cheaper and doesn't take as long a flight time.
This may be comparng apples to orange, but for about the same price and same flight time, you can fly to Paris. For $150 less, you can fly to London.