I received an email today from one of my college roommates and I just know you guys will help me out...Her email states, in a nutshell..."DH and I are seriously considering a trip to Hawaii to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary which is in May, but we will go in June and want to make reservations soon. What advise and info would you give to 1st timers like us? Where to stay (hotels and island) what to see? We are not into crowds we enjoy the more private remote places. Some shopping. We like to eat in nice restaurants and see nature."
xoxoxo

So, please all of you professionals..help me. I have recommended fodors, flyertalk and frommers ...tripadvisor...hawaii.com..wizardpub.com..gohawa ii.com..driving and discovering hawaii...

Please top some of your most recent trip reports, etc for her...and I will email her and get her to check out fodors today. Let's initiate her properly

And, of course, I think she should go to Kauai since that is my favorite island!

Is $) money no object, or is there a price range

Money is an object...1 child just started college, 1 child still in high school..her DH is an accountant!
So, JD, I'm gonna say..mid range with the most bang for the buck.

I'm guessing midrange is ~$200/nite. In my limited experience, that would exclude the top two: Hyatt or Princeville Hotel on Kauai, and personally would want to be toward P'ville in June. So for around $200/nite that leaves Sheraton (Poipu), Marriott or Radisson in Lihue.

Personally would go with an ocean front P'ville condo (e.g.~150-$200 www.vrbo.com visit nearby P'ville hotel or other restaurants etc. for splurge events.

Other island of choice would be Maui, and I can't recommend a hotel ~$200/nite, though many nice condo's can be found.

I'm most familiar with midrange$) on the Big Island, though I am not sure I would send first timers there unless they would really like a chance to see an active volcano, or are really into snorkeling/scuba.

I have seen lots of midrange hotel choices on Oahu and there is also a lot to do there, but may be too crowded. I'm sure others can help with this.

Hope this helps!!!