The Feds have a thick manual that spells out every detail of standardized transportation signage. That's why, no matter where you screech to a stop in this great nation, stop signs are octagonal, red-and-white and say STOP in capital letters.

But what are we to make of stop signs that aren't red? They're beginning to show up in other colors, such as this lovely sailor-blue number at the exit to the CompUSA parking lot.

According to CompUSA, the sign was installed by the contractor, Mortenson Construction. Project manager Rick Kato said stop signs on private property can be any color the owner wishes, as long as they aren't red.

That's the key. These signs are on private property. The red signs are on public property and rights-of-way.

Want one? Safety Systems on Waiakamilo Road can make one for you for about $100. Bruce Kagawa of Safety Systems has made quite a few in the last year or so, and speculated that the police might be issuing advisories to property owners that private traffic signs can't be exactly like public traffic signs.

"Doesn't quite make sense to me, because I think the Federal guidelines are supposed to override local statutes," said Kagawa. "Wouldn't that open it up for liability suits?"

The folks at the police department's traffic department had no answer for that. But they were definite on one, critical issue: You can't get a traffic ticket for running a private stop sign.