HONOLULU -- With the presidential campaign virtually tied in Hawaii, Democrats and Republicans have started to buy television-advertising time in the islands. It's a significant move, since presidential campaigns usually do not normally spend advertising money in Hawaii.

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Viewers should start seeing presidential campaign spots on TV as soon as Tuesday night in Hawaii.

The move comes just two days after two polls came out showing the presidential race neck and neck in the islands. The Democratic National Committee and the Bush campaign called television sales departments and the Democrats began buying ad time.

"It reminds everybody how little a player Hawaii generally is in presidential elections. So much so that the candidates assume it was going to be the same way this time," University of Hawaii political science professor Neal Milner said.

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Local Bush and Democratic campaign officials told KITV 4 News they didn't know that their national organizations were buying television time here, until a reporter called them to ask about it.

"It means it's worth something to both parties to really make an effort here, as much of an effort as they can make, short of actually getting the candidates here," Milner said.

National campaign officials offered no specifics about how much money they'll spend on Hawaii TV ads, what ads will run and when, but they did offer healthy doses of spin.

"The people in Hawaii are just like the people all across America, who are anxious for a change in direction in the leadership of their country. They want a president just like John Kerry who has the right priorities, and who will fight for them in the White House," said Josh Earnest of the DNC.

"The fact that John Kerry is playing defense in this state really speaks to the president's leadership and really speaks to the fact that his priorities are in line with Hawaii," said Tracey Schmitt of the Bush campaign.

TV advertising veterans can't remember the last time presidential campaigns bought television time in Hawaii before a general election.

A poll by KITV 4 News and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin found that Bush holds a 0.6 percent lead over Kerry; 46 percent versus 45.4 percent for Kerry. More than 600 registered voters were surveyed. The poll has a 4 percent margin of error.