Kimberly Forness Wilson was raised in Eastern North Dakota on the rich fertile farmscape of Red River Valley in the towns of Grand Forks and Devils Lake. She is totally blessed to have a remarkably creative family: each and every member either sings, writes, paints, decorates, plays an instrument or paints on china. A life is not worth living without the arts so it is “Live Alive” with the Fornesses and Johnsons!

Kim graduated from Red River High in 1977 after having enjoyed many thrilling years in the theater and choir, a wonderful prelude to many years of theatre arts and performing to come.

Kim was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Gail Roan Pearson, Ph.D., a Grand Forks psycho-therapist specializing in women’s issues and women’s addictions. During this time Kim pursued training at the Jung Institute in Houston, TX. Highly motivated to get holistic training in the truest sense of the word, she went to Maui, Hawaii, and got certified as a holistic trainer in a wonderful program called “Strong, Stretched and Centered” with Gloria Keeling and Stephanie Karoney.

In Maui Kim met Jib and this was a very good thing! Kim and Jib returned to Grand Forks because according to the men in Kim’s family in order for Jib, (pronounced “Yib” by Vikings) to be a true member of the family, had to “live von vinter in North Dakota.” Jib did so and promptly, with Kim’s brother Steve in tow, went back to live in Hawaii in 1982. In the meantime Kim graduated from UND in 1984 with a B.S. Degree in Psychology and a strong determination to promote mental health combined with the arts and physical health.

In 1986 Kim moved to begin a new life with Jib on Maui. They were married in 1987. Kim had the great fortune to spend the next 15 years working with Maui’s youth and their families combining her training in the arts and holistic health in a variety of settings. She ran visual and theater arts programs for the Department of Education, ran Manaolu Youth Shelter, was Educational Coordinator for Maui Youth Theatre, Executive Director for Theatre Theatre Maui and Executive Director for Kihei Youth Center. Throughout all of this, Kim’s number one “hostage volunteer”, Jib, was by Kim’s side. Always jumping in to fundraise, move furniture, or run lights for shows, Jib has helped make every event more professional and enjoyable.

Kim and Jib had an awesome extended Ohana “family” with many friends and family on Maui. Always feeling totally blessed they decided to become foster parents and guardians for kids who needed extra family on Maui. In 1998 they met Matthew Ikaika who “proposed” to them in 2000. In July 2001 they got “Married” which completed their Hanai Ohana “adopted family” with Cody, Auntie Linda, Noah and Pono the dog. Life was full with theatre, singing, canoe practice, skateboarding and an odd assortment of 20 or more pets. It was sticky, loud, joyous, and fun!

In 2003 Kim suffered a freak accident. While working for Hawaii’s Department of Health she turned her head and fractured her skull. Improperly diagnosed and fighting Hawaii Worker’s Comp to see a specialist, the next 15 months were hell. Within seconds of the incident Kim lost her gag reflex on the left side of her throat, experienced hideous stabs of incapacitating pain, and lost her ability to sing. It was a truly devastating experience. During this time Kim’s mom, Ramona, came to Maui to try and help her daughter cope with pain that no medicine masked and deal with the loss of her most loved creative outlet, singing.

Ramona told Kim, “Look kid, we gotta get up and use the good day God gave us,” and focused Kim on painting. Having been raised by an artist, Kim had always enjoyed dabbling and doodling. She had recently even been in a juried exhibit with Shigi Yamada. But painting was not her LOVE, singing was — the constant companion that soothed all ills. Now there was nothing but an ear ringing void. Her mother insisted “Paint, it will distract you from the pain.”

Kim trusted her mother and tried it. The paint flowed and the pain was forgotten for a moment. The first moment in months. So Kim began to paint. Or rather splash color! What ever you call it, the process helped Kim have brief and growing periods of relief from the pain. This led to better coping and solution-building and confidence. In June of 2004 Kim “divorced” workman’s comp, refinanced their home and went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. After exploratory surgery it was discovered that Kim had an actual bone fragment tearing away at tissue and nerves. The surgery required removal of the Styloid process and stylohyoidal ligament and other tissue. The surgeons stated that had Kim undergone surgery immediately much of the pain (Glossopharengeal, Trigeminal), spasms and headaches (migraines and carotodynia) she still experiences would have surely been avoided.

Now a new chapter of healing had to begin. Kim and Jib and Matthew moved to North Dakota to be near family and the Mayo Clinic. Kim has spent the last 6 years on the Mainland pursuing recovery from this experience with Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation, Chiropractic Treatment, Pain Clinic and massive amounts of family time and creativity. She, Jib and Matt together with the love of all their families have created a new and wonderful life between Grand Forks and Maui.

With all this Kim says: