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We are planning a destination wedding in Hawaii for May 2009? We need input as to which island to choose.

We are looking more at Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. I grew up in Ohau and love it (and highly recommend it to others, but want our wedding/honeymoon to be someplace new for the two of us).

Here are the factors we want to consider when making this decision: 1) Travel: People are traveling from all over the US (some may only stay for a few days, others up to a week).  We want it to be easy for our guests to travel to and from.  Also, is it less expensive to fly to some of the islands?

 2) Activities: we want our guests, as well as ourselves to be able to surf (easy and mild), enjoy beautiful beaches, scuba, snorkle, hike and golf. We are not concerned about shopping. We also want a really romantic place as well (we will stay in the same place for our honeymoon).

3) Avoid rain as much as possible.

4) Loding: we need hotels for people to stay, estates/homes will not work (my research shows there are great hotels on each island).

5) Type of Wedding: We are only inviting immediate family (approx. 15) people.  Beach wedding (need an outstanding photographer) and a reception at a wonderful restaurant (I do not want to have to worry about napkins, centerpieces, dance floors - and I don't want to have to pay for it). 

Thank you for your time and comments, I greatly appreciate it. 

I have been to kauai and maui. Between the two I would suggest Kauai over maui.  Kauai is quieter and in my opinion much more scenic, slower paced and romantic.  Its where alot of locals prefer to go anyway.  It has the beautiful North Shore, sunsets at Hanauma Bay, and Mt Wai'ale'ale Crater.  

Maui does have its benefits and its own beauty as well.  What I didn't like about maui is there is only really one main road that goes through the island to get anywhere so traffic is at times super bad.  It took over 2 hours to get to my hotel from the airport. It does have the famous waterfall (i forget the name), banyan tree, bamboo forest and some of the best snorkeling and diving.  Nevertheless, its very difficult to get lost. 

Both have an area where the majority of the hotels are located relatively close together but not close enough where you'd want to walk. 

Interr-island flights are very inexpensive.