Midwest Hop Head Double IPA Mod

I wanted to amp up Midwest's Double IPA by making a few additions. I've got a year and 12 extract brews under my belt.. and I'm looking for some advice, tips, concerns.

Here is my output in BeerSmith:

12.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain
8.0 oz Victory Malt (25.0 SRM) Grain
4.0 oz Aromatic Malt (26.0 SRM) Grain
9 lbs 4.8 oz Gold Malt Extract (4.0 SRM) Extract
1.00 oz Chinook [11.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min
0.50 oz Galena [12.50 %] - Boil 60.0 min
0.50 oz Cascade [7.10 %] - Boil 45.0 min
0.50 oz Galena [12.50 %] - Boil 45.0 min
0.50 oz Centennial [9.10 %] - Boil 30.0 min
0.50 oz Cascade [7.10 %] - Boil 20.0 min
1.00 oz Galena [12.50 %] - Boil 15.0 min
0.50 oz Centennial [9.10 %] - Boil 10.0 min
1.00 oz Crystal [3.50 %] - Boil 5.0 min
2 lbs Honey (1.0 SRM) Sugar 14 15.6 %
2.00 oz Cascade [7.10 %] - Dry Hop 21.0 Days

Est. OG: 1.080
IBUs: 94.3
Color: 10.8
Est ABV: 8.8%

Never made a starter before, but I've never made a beer this big before either. I had a 1.075 attenuate out fully with White Labs vial, but is it a recommendation to do a starter when the gravity is this high?

I'm assuming adding the honey for the entire 60 minute boil will eliminate any honey flavor and just bump up the ABV to where I want it. I wasn't sure if I just add 2lbs of DME instead of the honey which would bump up the color to 11.2 and ABV down to 8.0 ... which would be best? Seems like the additional extract brings down the bitterness past where I want it so I'd have to add additional hops.

Anyone care to share their thoughts?

Yes, make a big starter! I am thinking at least 3 or 4 liters.

The added honey you mention is a lot more expensive than sugar. I don't think you will get any noticeable honey flavor, so would suggest substituting it with sugar.