In today’s era of infinite digital scrolling, where a photograph’s lifespan is often measured in seconds before being buried by an algorithm, Hi Zine & Print is seeking to bring photographers’ images from screens into the physical world. How? By bringing back printed assets like zines, journals, small prints, postcards, and greeting cards, reviving a sense of artistic ownership and engagement with audiences everywhere.
NEW EXPOSURE
The group was founded in 2023 by Shane Sakata and James Knudsen, two photographers with a vision to bring new energy to local visual artists.
“In major cities like New York and San Francisco, there are zine exchange events where participants can exchange zines with each other,” said Knudsen. “We wanted to start something similar.”
The growth from a casual gathering to an official collective happened organically with increasing enthusiasm from artists eager to present their projects and witness new inspiration.
“The dream was to encourage more people to print and share their work and build a creative community that inspires everyone to think about the different ways we can do that individually and as a group,” said Sakata.
COMPOSITION CHANGE
The logistical journey from snapping a shot to printing a page has its share of challenges from structuring InDesign files, finding the right printer, the cost of printing, and finding display opportunities.
Hi Zine & Print aims to ease the burden with support and guidance within its growing membership. The result? Tactile imagery that demands a second, more intentional look, the very thing missing from today’s digital realm.
“Viewers can go beyond the single images, delve deeper into a theme and be exposed to a more nuanced look at a subject from the artist’s point of view,” said Sakata. “It’s a slow way of looking, and a tangible object encourages looking again rather than just scrolling on to the next image.”
The art of sequencing their work is a whole project in and of itself. A fun and challenging task that forces artists to think about their narrative format: how a photo speaks to the next one across a page, how the white space, the crop, and the order of images creates a mood or tells a story that a single image cannot convey on its own.
When it’s all said and done, there’s no denying that sense of pride and fulfillment when photographers hold their art in their hands for the first time.
“Most people are truly surprised at how their work translates to print,” said Sakata. “There is something amazing about seeing your work in print that is indescribable.”
PHOTOGENIC PARTNERSHIPS
What is easy to describe is the active support the collective has had with Pacific New Media and the Downtown Art Center. They have hosted Hi Zine & Print at its Contemporary Photography in Hawaiʻi exhibit for the last three years. In the most recent 2026 exhibit, the zine table included 27 different zines, journals, and notebooks by 17 independent makers.
“[Their partnership] has been amazing,” said Knudsen. “Both organizations are very supportive and are excited by the growing community.” Since its founding, more photographers and art makers are signing up to explore the world of printed goods.
If you’d like to be one of them, you can contact them directly at hizineandprint@gmail.com or sign-up for their mailing list. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Meetings are typically held every other month and alternate between in-person and virtual. Join a community of artists, collectors, and creators who value the preservation of photography in its most permanent form. A resurging experience with new impact.
“Zines are an affordable entry point into what is catching the attention of the artists in our community,” said Sakata. “You might recognize yourself or your views of the world in a zine, or they might challenge you to see something a little bit differently.”
If you want to feel this tactile revival firsthand, you can visit the collective’s new table showcase at the upcoming HEART of Honolulu Street Festival in Chinatown on Saturday, May 9 from 11am to 4pm.
Zines are not just moments captured. It’s a celebration of what happens when creators decide their work deserves to live in the physical world. As the group grows, so does the opportunity for Hawaiʻi artists to find their community and voice, one page at a time.