For his first solo exhibition in Hawaii, artist Kanoa Zimmerman will debut his photographs in an entirely new way, through a multiple-paged printed piece.

"Typical, classical photographs are two-dimensional works of art that you would see on the wall, but this printed piece is in between a newspaper and a book, with multiple images and layouts graphically designed," said Wei Fang, curator at Interisland Terminal in Kakaako, the site of Zimmerman’s exhibit.

In addition to the printed piece — more formally known as a zine — Zimmerman also will be showing more than a dozen photographs at the show, which opens Friday.

Zimmerman resides in San Francisco, but the 30-year-old artist grew up in Hana­lei, Kauai, and visits frequently.

He says he hopes all the pieces will convey a feeling of nostalgia for Hawaii.

"I wanted to create a collective series of images that communicated a feeling you get in Hawaii, like this throwback of taking life a little slower, a tranquil, peaceful feeling," he said.

Although some of his photos were taken in Fiji and the Marshall Islands, Zimmerman said these places have "a tropical, coastal, marine environment" that still elicits a feeling of Hawaii.

Fang said Zimmerman’s ability to delve into the deeper character of the environment with his lens makes his work exemplary.

She first noticed his work last summer when she attended a furniture installation at R 20th Century Design gallery in New York. Among the midcentury, contemporary-industrial-designed furniture, she spotted some of Zimmerman’s photos and found his body of photography interesting.

A few months later, Fang’s good friend, former Surfer Magazine editor Steve Barilotti, came to Hawaii and told her he was working with Zimmerman.

"As soon as I found out, I was like, ‘Where is he? I need to meet him now,’" she said.

For the past two years, Interisland Terminal — a nonprofit organization dedicated to contemporary art, design and film, and advancing the role of arts in Hono­lulu — has focused on young emerging artists.

Zimmerman "has a unique sense of form and light," Fang said. "His work is very different from what we’re used to seeing. It was so special to work with Kanoa, especially since he had ties in Hawaii."

Zimmerman said putting the show together took a toll on his nerves; producing the zine was particularly challenging. But Hawaii holds a special place in his life, he said, and being able to come to Hono­lulu for a solo show is something he considers a huge accomplishment.

"The process of creating a book, zine or printed piece is fulfilling," he said. "It’s different than the commercial or editorial work I do. I don’t just hand over the images after a shoot; I’m involved and have creative freedom in each step."

Fang said that because Interisland Terminal isn’t tethered by the usual parameters of an art gallery, she is able to allow artists more latitude and support them in creating new and unconventional pieces of work.

"We’re a very open organization, and if you wanna do it, we wanna support it," Fang said. "Kanoa’s never done this before, and I wanted to work with him on this. I hate to say it because it sounds so cliché, but with his work there’s a lot to like and learn, and his printed piece definitely stands aside from his commercial work."