U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye is appearing in a new television advertisement for U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, describing his colleague as effective and courageous and asking voters to re-elect the senator.

The 30-second spot began airing Saturday and is the first visible sign of Inouye's support for Akaka since May when he introduced him at the state Democratic convention. Inouye, the state's most powerful politician, has backed Akaka since U.S. Rep. Ed Case announced his primary challenge in January, but there have been questions about how personally active Inouye would be in the campaign.

Inouye has helped Akaka raise money on the Mainland and has made a few appearances for Akaka on Neighbor Islands. Jennifer Sabas, Inouye's chief of staff in Honolulu, said Inouye intends to campaign for Akaka in the Islands this month and will likely record telephone calls and appear in mailers as part of Akaka's get-out-the-vote drive before the September primary.

In the television ad, Inouye describes why he believes Akaka is effective. "He is hard-working, caring, wise in his decisions, and courageous in his actions," Inouye says. "But most of all, Dan Akaka is an honorable man, a man of his word, someone you can trust.

"Dan has never let me down. He has never let Hawai'i down."

Case said he expected Akaka to ask for Inouye's help. The congressman said Akaka has been hiding behind his campaign advisers and television and radio ads instead of having meaningful contact with voters. Case has repeatedly challenged Akaka to debate and, while the senator's staff has said a debate is likely, Akaka has not agreed to a time or place.

"It doesn't change in any way, shape or form the issues and choices that are presented to the voters on September 23rd," Case said. "This campaign is not about Senator Inouye; it's about Senator Akaka, and I think people will sift that through."

Akaka is also receiving help from one of the nation's most influential liberals. U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has released a letter asking Democrats nationally to donate money and support Akaka and U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, for their opposition to war in Iraq. Brown is running for the Senate against U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio.

Case, meanwhile, has earned the endorsement of the Hawai'i Association of Realtors, and the Realtors' national political action committee. The Realtors said in a statement yesterday that Case has demonstrated a strong commitment to homeowners and private property rights.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.