Personally, I think buying direct to get "unrestricted" points is one of the biggest mistakes anyone could make.
First of all, the restricted uses of those points are not good values generally. Sure, if you want to use points occasionally for one of those things, fine. But to pay DOUBLE for your purchase for that purpose fails the "makes sense" test for me.
Even more important, those restricted uses are NOT GUARANTEED to direct purchasers. They are current benefits, which could be removed at any time with one swipe of the Mouse's pen. To pay DOUBLE for something that could go away on a marketing kid's whim is really dumb...IMHO.
There are also a lot of people on these boards who don't know what the restrictions really are. RCI is not restricted for ANY owner, no matter how you purchase.
A resale owner could get the same Hawaii exchange you got. And an owner of a different timeshare could get it much easier with dozens more choices.