When Joe, Sam, and Chad Miller left Denver for their much-anticipated Hawaiian vacation in 1985, they had no idea that this trip to the tropics would be a literally life-changing experience.

By all measures, the Millers were a successful and happy family who lived "the good life" in a 4,200-square-foot home in Denver. But what the family didn't realize was how captivated they would be by the stunning island of Kauai and all that Hawaii had to offer to them - namely, a new life and a new lifestyle, one that could only be enjoyed in The Aloha State.

So, without looking back, Joe, Sam, and Chad packed up their life in Denver and headed to Hawaii. Though the move meant myriad changes, it's a decision they've never second guessed and, nearly 27 years later, the Millers would never dream of calling anywhere else their home.

Joe Miller

A Nebraska native and father of four, Joe Miller admittedly loves to play "the game of life." An avid sportsman who learned to both win and lose graciously during his days on the football field as a high school all-American and a starting quarter back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Joe is driven by success both in his personal and professional life. His enthusiasm for life and work is proudly displayed daily and this excitement is recognized by his clients as an integral part of his success in the real estate business.

The patriarch of the Miller family has always been a lover of the sales business. Most of his focus while a student at the University of Nebraska was in sales and marketing but - indeed - Joe had honed his sales skills long before he reached college age. As a young boy, he helped his brothers sell caramel corn at local carnivals, using his mom's award-winning yummy recipe. By high school, he had developed his own car washing business. After college, Joe delved into the insurance business, where he was lauded for his excellent sales techniques and training prowess, becoming one of the top insurance sales people in America.

After moving to Denver in the late 1960s, Joe joined some hometown friends in the building business. His hard-work and drive made him an instant success in this new business, and by the mid 1970s, Joe had become a partner and had a new bride, Barbara ("Sam"), and a new son, Chad. Life was good!

But something was missing and the stress of work was making life less than enjoyable for Joe and his young family. A trip to Hawaii convinced him that it was time for a change so - like the Beverly Hillbillies - they loaded up the truck and made the move to The Aloha State in 1985 and into a 1,100 square-foot condo! Living space and money was tight but spirits were high.

Joe started life in Hawaii as a crew member on a chartered deep-sea fishing boat - that is, until Sam told him to "get a real job!" He soon re-entered the real estate business in Princeville, Kauai, first as a salesperson, then a developer. In 1993, Hurricane Ikini put a damper on the business but taught the Millers a lot about helping their neighbors who emerged from the storm in a worse position than their family. Joe and Sam were even presented with an award for all the "Kokua" (help) they provided to the community.

After 10 years in Kauai, Joe moved with Sam and Chad to the island of Maui to commence with the building of an affordable home development. Though that particular venture wasn't a complete success, it did open the door to a wealth of new opportunities, and for more than a decade, the Millers represented custom builders on the island as consultants and sales facilitators. Sam now had her real estate licensed and joined her husband as, together, they built a lucrative business.   

Now, as the head of the Miller Team at Century 21 All Islands-Wailea, Joe eagerly shares responsibilities with both Sam and Chad. Business has doubled each year and the team continues to be among the top real estate experts on the island. And, of course, Joe - compassionate leader, loving husband, and nurturing and mentoring father - continues to live his own Hawaiian dream while helping home buyers realize theirs as they embark on new adventures in beautiful South Maui.  

Barbara "Sam" Miller

Lovingly nicknamed "Sam", Barbara Miller is a Denver, Colorado native. An aspiring model who was turned down for most jobs because she was "too skinny" (how times have changed!), Sam was an English major at Fort Lewis College in Durango, where she loved being on her own. Admittedly "frank and confident", Sam is a lifelong learner who still enjoys taking classes to advance her knowledge of the world around her.

Sam met Joe when they worked together in a Colorado real estate office where she was a receptionist, and the couple married in 1975. She soon became a full-time mother, raising son Chad and Joe's three children from a previous marriage. Sam loved being a stay-at-home mom and values the close relationship she maintains with her son today.

When the Millers moved to Kauai in 1985, Sam was eager for new adventure in a home surrounded by water and sunshine. She spent much of her time with Chad (he was a hand-full!) until he reached jr. high age. At that point, Sam headed out to work, taking her first job as a banquet server at the Sheraton Princeville Hotel. She kept that position until, one day, Sam served a banquet that Joe attended. Claiming he didn't even recognize her in her uniform and pinned up hair, he told her she "wasn't doing that anymore!" 

Sam later discovered her love of sales at the cosmetic counter of a local department store. That gave her the impetus to return to real estate, this time as a sales person. She hasn't looked back and serves as a loving and supportive partner for Joe in all his real estate endeavors and enjoys the opportunity to work daily with Chad.

In her spare time, Sam loves to do what many Hawaiians do - walk the beautiful beaches and landscape of Maui and snorkel in the crystal clear waters that surround the island. She's also an avid photographer and loves photographing scenery and - yes - houses!

Chad Miller

A self-described "free spirit" whose energetic personality often got him in trouble when he was a kid, Chad spent the first 10 years of his life in Colorado, where he was born. However, when Chad and his parents moved to Hawaii in 1985, he finally felt as if he was home - blending effortlessly with the culture, mindset, and lifestyle of the islands, where his free spirit was heartily accepted. 

Always exhibiting a love for sports, life in Hawaii presented Chad with many opportunities. In school, he excelled in physical fitness class (ask him who still holds the broad jump record at Hanalei Elementary School!) and enjoyed a vast variety of sports, including paddling, basketball, surfing, and boogie boarding. In high school, Chad recognized his love for volleyball (both the regular and the beach kind!), and though his skills were weak at first, he became an all-state player by 12^th grade. Today, beach volleyball is still one of his life's passions.

Chad's positive attitude carried him far and, after high school graduation, he headed to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he stayed for 2 ½ years. Next, he enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where his chosen area of study was Hotel/Restaurant Management. Chad was quite passionate about the restaurant business, taking jobs throughout his college years that would help with his post-graduation career.

Chad cites his winning of a $40,000 wine/food scholarship as one of the highlights of his young adult life. The scholarship brought him to Sonoma and Napa Valleys in California as well as Italy and France. While in Europe, he was able to visit several other countries as well. It was a "monumental experience," Chad remembers.

After graduation, Chad spent several years in the food and wine business - working at such well-known restaurants as Pacific Grill (now Duo), Ferraro's and the Lobby Lounge - before he decided to obtain his real estate license and partner with his already-successful parents.

Today, he enjoys the flexibility of his real estate schedule, which gives him time to spend with his beautiful daughter and amazing fiancé while still having plenty of time to devote to his real estate clients.