Can't fly

Hi,
Due to medical reasons can't fly anymore. Cruise liners won't pick up passengers from Hawaii to the mainland. What other ways to travel by ship from Hawaii to the mainland, California? Would need passage back home to Hawaii as well.

What about getting work on a boat that's doing your required route??

You have a costly problem. There is freighter travel - fairly expensive and time consuming. You could book passage on a private yacht (same/same). I don't think there is an easy answer. You might have to travel through a second country to get to your destination. Passenger (non-cruise) travel by ship has all but disappeared except for ferry services.

I have a friend who did Southampton to Rio for nothing. He worked in the galley for 2 weeks and that was his fare paid for. Surely there are possibilities for you.

A quick check of the Travelocity website (I have no financial interest in this firm, just an example) shows cruises from Hawaii/Oahu to either Ensenada, Mexico or Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Vancouver allows you to hop on Amtrak and train south into the US via Washington State. Ensenada you can take a bus norte toward California.
I don't envy your position. Best of luck.