Hurricane Lane has been drenching the Hawaiian islands, as it weakens into a Category 1 storm. While the storm may not make landfall, its edge has been lashing Hawaii with torrential rains. Forecasters say Hawaii has escaped its first direct hit from a major hurricane in a quarter-century. Phil Lavelle reports.

She is travelling slowly. But Hurricane Lane is still hitting Hawaii hard. Her destructive course skirting Hawaii's chain of islands causing severe flooding - this in the city of Hilo on Hawaii's Big Island. In places, nearly 80 centimeters of rain have fallen. Mudslides, floods, blocked roads causing chaos in an area already under being battered by nature. An erupting volcano has been causing misery here for months. 

BROCK LONG, CHIEF FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY "Hawaii is going to be impacted by Hurricane Lane. The question is how bad. Right now, this system is really setting up to be a significant rain event. Torrential rains. Forecasters are predicting over 30 inches in some parts, you could see higher amounts isolated."

For those not hit yet, they're taking no chances and sealing themselves in. Beaches closed. Tourists told to get indoors and out of the water. Many under a false sense of calm. And from the air, all appears that way. This plane taking viewers up in the eye of the storm. But on the ground in other places. She's big. She's violent. And she is on the move, with no concern over who or what she hits. Pouring rains, gusting winds signaling her approach, with residents stranded.

DAVID IGE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII "Just want to remind everyone to be prepared to shelter in place. 14 days of food and supplies and water, medicine other necessities that they would have."

On Kona, tourists and locals waiting for the winds. Surfers taking advantage of the stronger waves. Same on Maui. They know she's coming, but they'll enjoy the parts of it they can before Lane gets too close.

Help coming in from the mainland too. Here in Menlo Park, near San Francisco, some of the California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 3 preparing to head to Hawaii to help in the rescue efforts.

Power outages caused by flooding and medical emergencies a real concern now. The governor urging Hawaiians to stockpile two weeks' worth of food and water. Phil Lavelle, CGTN, Los Angeles.