North Shore mailboxes are bizarre. They're also pieces of art

SUNSET BEACH, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Next time you're cruising along Kamehameha Highway on Oahu's North Shore, peel your eyes away from the ocean and take a look at the houses.

Actually, take a look at the mailboxes in front of those houses: They're little works of folk art.

The North Shore has long been known for its quirky and unique way of life. And its mailboxes are no exception.

There's the mailbox that's a cow. Or a large pelican. Or a handcrafted shark.

And then there's the mailbox in front of the Russi home. On one side, the couple painted a wave. On the other, a sunset.

Jim Russi said his unique mailbox welcomes guests to the art studio he shares with his wife, Mia.

"Mailboxes kind of say a lot about what's in your home and the people that live there," he said.

And the Russi mailbox actually has a little directional purpose, Mia Russi pointed out.

The wave was pointed on the Pipeline Beach side. The sunset on the Sunset Beach side.

Mobile users: Click here to see a slideshow of the North Shore's artsy mailboxes.

Fair warning to all artists out there, though: The USPS has rules when it comes to mailboxes.

Here's a look at those regulations, according to MailBoss.com:

• All manufactured mailboxes must meet the internal and external dimension requirements of the USPS.
• Curbside mailboxes must be placed on the right-hand side of the road and facing outward.
• The box or house number must be represented in numbers that are at least 1 inch tall, and they must be on the front or flag side of the box.
• Mailboxes must be placed 6 to 8 inches away from the curb; the slot or door must be 41 to 45 inches from the ground.
• Curbside mailbox posts should be buried less than 24 inches deep and made from wood no larger than 4 inches high by 4 inches wide. Steel or aluminum pipes with a 2-inch diameter are also acceptable.
• Newspaper receptacles may be mounted on the same post as the mailbox, but they must not contact it directly or be supported by it.

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