The government has declared a federal disaster to help Big Island farmers hurt by vog.

Farmers, whose crops have been damaged by the toxic air, can now get low-interest government loans to cover their losses.

At a statehouse hearing Wednesday, the state economist told lawmakers it's hard to know how much vog has hurt Hawaii's economy and tourism industry.

"Visitor arrivals, agriculture production, wage and salary jobs that are lower on the Big Island as compared to the state as a whole. 3:16 It would seem to me that's its difficult to say that is the impact of the vog since the vog really started sooner," said Chief State Economist Pearl Imada Iboshi.

While the tourism impact is unclear, this year's volcanic emissions have ruined flowers and vegetable crops.

The disaster declaration allows farmers to borrow as much as $500,000.

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