We received a solution from Andisheh from Spring Field School. His reasoning was correct but he used the wrong figures, so we are using his response as a basis for the solution:

hexagon in circle

Imagine extending the radius so that you have a horizontal diameter.

The hexagon is now split into two identical trapeziums (trapezia?).

Area of one trapezium

The area of the triangle is half the area of the hexagon.

triangle drawn in hexagon by joining alternate vertices