You can check your luggage all the way through in most cases. I used to advise against this though as for some reason it gets lost constantly. Now the lines can be so long at LAX to get your bags xrayed I am thinking it may be wiser to check it through.

So the choices (a) check it through less hassle but you may lose your bags and not get them until Raitea or even Bora Bora. (b) pick up your bags and be prepared for LONG lines to get the bags xrayed and be SURE you have enough time to go through the process.