WASHINGTON — Hawaii U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced Wednesday that Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer has designated the Big Island as a primary natural disaster area as a result of volcanic emissions that began more than four months ago.

Inouye was informed of the disaster designation Wednesday afternoon in Washington, according to a news release from his office.

"The secretarial disaster designation means Big Island farmers who meet eligibility requirements can seek low-interest emergency loans from the U.S. Farm Service Agency to offset vog-related crop losses," Inouye said in the news release. "This is an important helping hand from the federal government."